Cabbage soup with smoked sausages

Smoked sausage cabbage soup is a traditional Romanian recipe that combines the intense flavors of the sausages with the freshness of pickled cabbage, offering a comforting and flavorful dish. This soup is perfect for cool days and can be prepared quickly, making it an ideal choice for a family dinner. Here’s how you can prepare this delicacy step by step.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 300 g smoked sausage
- 250 g pickled cabbage (shredded)
- 1 tablespoon lard (or oil, if you prefer a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 medium onion
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- Cabbage juice (or water, according to preferences)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the ingredients:
- Start by finely chopping the onion. The smoked sausages should be sliced thinly to release their aroma and flavor into the soup. Wash the pickled cabbage of excess salt if necessary and shred it.

2. Boiling the base:
- In a large pot, pour the cabbage juice and, if desired, add water to achieve a less salty soup. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the cabbage covered with water and let it boil over medium heat for 15-20 minutes. The cabbage should be soft but not completely disintegrated.

3. Browning the flour:
- In a pan, heat the lard (or oil) and add the onion. Sauté the onion until golden, then add the flour. Brown the flour for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Deglaze with sweet paprika, mixing well to combine the flavors.

4. Combining the ingredients:
- Once the cabbage is cooked, add the onion and flour mixture to the pot with the soup. Stir well to avoid lumps. Add the slices of smoked sausage and let the soup simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. The sausages will impart an intense and delicious flavor to the soup.

5. Serving:
- After the soup has boiled, remove the pot from the heat. When serving, add a tablespoon of sour cream to each plate. The sour cream will add a creamy note and balance the intense flavors of the sausages and cabbage.

Practical tips:
- For a more intense flavor, you can add some additional spices, such as thyme or ground black pepper.
- Recipe variations: You can replace the smoked sausages with pork or a mix of sausages and smoked meat. Also, for a vegetarian option, use smoked tofu instead of sausages.
- Serving: Smoked sausage cabbage soup pairs excellently with a slice of homemade bread or warm polenta.

This traditional recipe will not only entice you with its irresistible aroma but will also provide you with a comforting meal full of cherished memories. Savor every bite and enjoy the authentic flavors of Romanian dishes!

 Ingredients: 300 g smoked sausages, 250 g shredded sour cabbage, 1 tablespoon lard, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 onion, sweet paprika, 3 tablespoons sour cream, cabbage juice

 Tags:  cabbage soup soup meat soup