Holiday sour soup

Holiday Offal Soup - a traditional recipe that spreads warmth and aromas in every corner of your home. This dish, perfect for festive Christmas or New Year's meals, is not just a simple soup, but a true culinary treasure, meant to chase away fatigue after parties and bring you closer to family and friends. Let’s embark together on this gastronomic adventure!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

- 1 free-range chicken (or 1 hen) - ideal for achieving a rich flavor
- 300 g of chicken offal (gizzards, heart, livers) - for an extra layer of taste
- 2 small onions - for a base aroma
- 1 carrot - adds sweetness
- 1 piece of red bell pepper - for a splash of color
- 1 parsnip and 1 celery - for an earthy note
- 1 cup of rice - the ingredient that binds all the flavors
- 400 g of peeled tomatoes (preferably Italian) - a touch of freshness
- 350 ml of pickling juice (mixed) - the key to a tangy taste
- 1 bunch of lovage (preferably frozen) - for an unmistakable aroma
- 1 bunch of green celery - for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste - to enhance the flavors

Preparation:

1. Preparing the chicken: Start by washing and cleaning the chicken. Cut it into suitable pieces, making sure to keep the back, wings, and thighs, saving the breast for another occasion. This step is essential because free-range chicken will provide a more intense flavor and better texture.

2. Preparing the vegetables: Clean and chop the onion, carrot, red pepper, parsnip, and celery. It is recommended to use a grater for the harder vegetables, so they soften more easily during boiling.

3. Boiling: In a large pot, add the chicken pieces, chopped vegetables, salt, ground pepper, and a few peppercorns. Fill the pot with cold water, ensuring all ingredients are completely covered. Place the pot over medium heat and let it boil for about 30 minutes.

4. Adding the rice: Once the meat starts to boil, add the washed rice. Let it boil for 10 minutes, so it absorbs the flavors from the soup.

5. The tomatoes: Add the peeled and diced tomatoes to the pot and boil everything for another 5 minutes. The tomatoes will provide a fresh taste and vibrant color to the soup.

6. The pickling juice: Now it’s time to add the pickling juice. This will give the soup a tangy taste, perfect for balancing the richness of the meat and vegetables. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as preferred.

7. The greens: Turn off the heat and let the soup cool slightly. Add the lovage and chopped celery leaves. These should not be added to boiling water, as they will lose their aroma. Cover the pot with a lid and let the flavors 'tell their story' for a few minutes.

8. Serving: The offal soup is served hot, with a slice of well-toasted homemade bread, which will add a crunchy texture to your meals. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add a hot pepper for an extra kick. Personally, I like to add a few leaves of green celery to the plate for an extra aroma.

Notes and practical tips:

- Meat variant: If you don’t have free-range chicken, you can use farm chicken or even turkey. The taste will be different, but just as delicious.
- Alternative vegetables: You can experiment with other vegetables, such as zucchini or peas, depending on the season and your preferences.
- Sourness: The pickling juice is essential; you can use assorted homemade pickles for an authentic flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use store-bought juice, but make sure it’s natural.
- Nutritional benefits: This soup is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent choice for a nourishing meal. Its aroma improves digestion, making it ideal after parties.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I make offal soup without meat? Yes, you can make a vegetarian version using various vegetables and vegetable broth.
- How long can the soup be kept? The offal soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
- What drinks pair well with offal soup? A pale beer or a dry white wine are the best choices to accompany this delicacy. If you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, a tomato juice with basil will be a tasty accompaniment.

Offal soup is certainly a symbol of hospitality and tradition, a dish that brings people together. Whether you prepare it for a special occasion or simply to indulge yourself, this recipe will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. So, start cooking and enjoy the aroma and warmth it brings!

 Ingredients: As I was saying, we need a house chicken or hen (in France, it's called a farmer's chick), and it can also be made very well with turkey. Besides that, the old recipe says: chicken offal, gizzards, heart, liver, soup vegetables, some white vegetables: parsley root and celery, a carrot, a piece of red pepper, 2 small onions (not very large quantities). Additionally, we need a cup of rice, a can of peeled crushed tomatoes (I prefer the Italian ones harvested and prepared in summer during winter), pickle juice (I added about 350 ml of juice from my assorted pickles), lovage (I had frozen), and green celery leaves.

 Tags:  sour soup