Sour pork bone soup with cabbage juice

Sour pork bone soup with cabbage juice is a traditional dish, full of flavor, that brings together simple yet nutrient-rich and aromatic ingredients. This recipe will not only warm your soul but also bring a touch of nostalgia with every spoonful. It is perfect for a family meal or to impress friends at dinner. Let's discover together how to prepare it step by step!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 90 minutes
Servings: 6

Necessary ingredients:

- 500 g pork bones with meat (you can also use lean meat cubes for added flavor)
- 1/4 celery
- 1 onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 carrots
- 1 large tomato
- 2 cups of water (or more, as needed)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup tomato juice
- Cabbage juice (to taste)
- 2 portions of noodles (Barilla recommended)
- Dried lovage (for flavor)

Step by step:

1. Preparing the bones: Start by washing the pork bones well under cold running water. This step is essential to remove impurities and achieve a clear and tasty soup. Place the bones in a large pot and cover them with fresh water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to medium heat.

2. Removing the foam: Once the water starts to boil, foam will appear on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove it. This will help achieve a clearer soup. Let the bones boil for 5-6 minutes, then discard the water and rinse the bones under warm running water.

3. Boiling the bones: Put the bones and meat back in the pot, add fresh water (about 2-3 liters, depending on your preferred consistency), and cover with a lid. Let it simmer over moderate heat for about 50 minutes.

4. Preparing the vegetables: In the meantime, you can prepare the vegetables. Peel the celery, bell pepper, and carrots. Cut the celery and bell pepper into small cubes, and slice the carrots into rounds. You can leave the onion whole for easier removal later. Peel and dice the tomato. Everyone can cut the vegetables as they prefer, but remember that uniform size helps with even cooking.

5. Adding the vegetables: After the bones have boiled, add the chopped vegetables to the pot. If necessary, you can add more water. Season with pepper to taste. Avoid adding salt now, as the cabbage juice will add extra saltiness.

6. Finalizing the soup: Once the vegetables are softened, remove the onion from the pot. Add the tomato juice and strain the cabbage juice. The amount of cabbage juice depends on how sour you want the soup to be. If you like it more sour, feel free to add more.

7. Final boiling: Let the soup boil for another 10 minutes, adding the finely chopped dried lovage for flavor. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings by adding salt and pepper as needed.

8. Boiling the noodles: In another pot, boil the noodles according to the package instructions in salted water. Once cooked, drain and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.

9. Serving: Finally, add the noodles to the soup or serve them separately, depending on your preference. A warm bowl of soup with noodles and a sprinkle of fresh lovage on top is all you need to enjoy a comforting meal.

Notes and useful tips:

- Variations: You can add other vegetables, such as potatoes or zucchini, to diversify the recipe. You can also try adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley for extra flavor.
- Storing the soup: The soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can freeze it for longer storage, but it's best to add the noodles only at serving time to avoid them becoming soggy.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: This soup is an excellent source of protein and vitamins from vegetables, and it is relatively low in calories, making it a healthy choice for everyday meals.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use other types of meat? Of course! You can use beef or chicken, but the cooking time will vary.
- How can I make the soup spicier? Add a bit of dried or fresh chili pepper, depending on your preference.
- What can I serve alongside the soup? A slice of fresh bread or polenta is ideal to complement this delicious soup.

Now that you have all the information you need, embark on the cooking adventure! Sour pork bone soup with cabbage juice is not just a recipe, but a culinary experience that will delight you and your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: a few pork bones with meat on them (I also added some cubes of lean pork) 1/4 celery 1 onion 1 red bell pepper 2 carrots 1 large tomato 1 cup of tomato juice cabbage juice 2 rolls of noodles (I use Barilla) dried lovage