Mirror Carp Soup (Salonta)

Mirror Carp Soup – The Delight of the Danube on a Plate

Mirror carp soup is a traditional Romanian recipe, full of flavor and aroma, that combines fresh ingredients from nature with the richness of fish meat. This soup is perfect for cool days but can be enjoyed anytime, having a positive impact on health due to its nutritious ingredients. In this recipe, we will use a fresh mirror carp, which we brought from a fish market near the Danube, and which will transform our dish into a real delicacy.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

- 1 mirror carp head (approximately 1.5 kg)
- 2 large carrots
- 2 small potatoes
- 1 parsnip
- 1 small piece of celery
- 2 small onions
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon of rice
- 500 ml of borscht (or to taste)
- 4 liters of water
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- salt, pepper to taste
- a large bunch of fresh lovage
- the tails from a bunch of parsley

Preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by cleaning and chopping the vegetables. Cut the bell pepper into small cubes, grate the carrots, and you can leave the parsnip and celery whole to remove them later. Clean the potatoes and leave them whole. Chop the onion finely.

2. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large pot, add the oil and two tablespoons of water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, then add the chopped vegetables (bell pepper, carrot, onion, parsnip, and celery). Let them sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

3. Boiling the vegetables: After the vegetables have softened a bit, add 4 liters of water. Tie the parsley and lovage tails together with string and add them to the pot. Let the soup boil over medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are almost cooked.

4. Adding tomatoes and borscht: Peel and chop the tomatoes. Add them to the pot, stirring well. Meanwhile, bring the borscht to a boil in another pot. When the vegetables are cooked, remove the celery and potatoes from the soup. Add the borscht and rice, letting it boil for another 15-20 minutes.

5. Adding the fish: After the rice is cooked, wash the mirror carp head well and add it to the pot. Let it boil in the soup for 9-10 minutes, depending on how fatty the fish is.

6. Finalizing the soup: Once the fish is cooked, turn off the heat and let the soup settle for a bit. Add the chopped fresh lovage and season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Serving: Mirror carp soup is served hot, ideally alongside a slice of fresh bread. For an extra flavor boost, you can add a few drops of lemon juice.

Useful tips:

- If you don’t have access to mirror carp, you can use any other white-fleshed fish, such as catfish or pike.
- The vegetables can be adapted according to your preferences. For example, you can add zucchini or green beans.
- The cooking time for the fish is crucial; if you boil it too long, the meat becomes dry.

Nutritional benefits:

Mirror carp soup is not only delicious but also healthy. Fish is an excellent source of protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and essential minerals, contributing to cardiovascular and brain health. The vegetables add fiber and vitamins, making this soup a nutritious dish.

Frequently asked questions:

- How long can I keep the soup? Mirror carp soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat it before serving.
- Can I freeze the soup? It is recommended not to freeze fish soup, as the texture of the fish will not be the same after thawing.
- What garnish goes best? A slice of lemon or a fresh cabbage salad can add a touch of freshness.

Delicious pairings:

Mirror carp soup pairs perfectly with a glass of dry white wine or a cold blonde beer, and for a complete meal, you can also serve warm polenta alongside.

I hope this mirror carp soup recipe will be a hit in your kitchen! Don’t forget to share your impressions with us and let us know how it turned out! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: the head of a 7 kg mirror carp, a few pieces of carp, a box of peeled tomatoes, salt to taste (I used 500 ml), one parsnip, 2 large carrots, 3 small potatoes, a piece of celery root, 2 small onions, 2 tablespoons of oil, one green bell pepper, a tablespoon of rice, a large bunch of lovage, the tops from a bunch of parsley, 4 liters of water

 Tags:  fish soup crap crap mirror salonta salonta soup mirror carp soup