Pork soup

Pork soup is a traditional Romanian dish, full of flavor and aroma, perfect for warming up chilly days. This soup recipe is simple and quick, ideal for large families, with a total preparation time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes, yielding 6 delicious servings. Here’s how you can prepare this rich and comforting soup step by step.

Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g pork (ideally use meat with a little fat for a richer taste)
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 parsnip
- 1 parsley root
- 1 small celery
- 1 white onion
- 1 bunch of green onions
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- 1 bunch of lovage
- 2 potatoes or, alternatively, a little pasta
- 1 l sour borscht (or to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons concentrated tomato paste
- About 3 l of water
- 2 tablespoons oil for sautéing
- 1 packet of vegeta (or to taste)
- Pepper to taste

Preparing the pork soup:

1. Preparing the meat: Start by washing the pork well, then cut it into suitable cubes. Place the meat in a large pot with cold water to boil. This will help extract the flavors and make the soup richer.

2. Cleaning and cutting the vegetables: While the meat is boiling, clean and wash the vegetables. Cut the carrots, parsnip, celery, and parsley root into small cubes, and the white onion into halves. The bell pepper can be sliced into strips. These vegetables will add deep flavor to your soup.

3. Sautéing the vegetables: In a skillet, heat the oil and add the white onion. Sauté until it becomes slightly golden, then add the other chopped vegetables. Sautéing the vegetables will intensify their aroma, so don’t skip this step.

4. Combining the ingredients: After the meat has boiled for about 15-20 minutes, add the sautéed vegetables to the pot. Continue to simmer over medium heat for another 30 minutes.

5. Adding the borscht: Once the vegetables are nearly cooked, add the sour borscht to give the soup its characteristic taste. You can adjust the amount of borscht according to your preference – more sour or less sour.

6. Finalizing the soup: Add the concentrated tomato paste, diced potatoes, and season with vegeta and pepper to taste. Let the soup boil for another 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

7. Serving: Before serving, add the chopped fresh parsley and lovage for an extra touch of freshness. The pork soup is served hot, alongside a slice of fresh bread or polenta.

Useful tips:
- You can also add some pieces of smoked meat for a more pronounced flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can omit the meat or replace it with chicken.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated the next day, tasting even better.

This pork soup is not just a comforting dish, but also an excellent way to bring the family together at the table. Enjoy every serving and savor the traditional Romanian flavors!

 Ingredients: A kg of pork 2 suitable carrots 1 parsnip 1 parsley 1 small celery 1 white onion 1 bunch of green onions 1 red bell pepper 1 bunch of green parsley 1 bunch of lovage A few pieces of smoked meat 1-2 potatoes or a little vermicelli A l of sour borscht Concentrated tomato paste Approximately 3 l of water A little oil for sautéing Vegeta Pepper