Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound (about 450g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 pound (about 450g) sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup sour cream, for serving (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Sauté Vegetables:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 5 minutes
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften.
2. Add Garlic and Sausage:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 3 minutes
Add minced garlic and sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa to the pot. Cook for an additional 3 minutes until the sausage is browned.
3. Season:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 2 minutes
Stir in caraway seeds and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Add Broth:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 2 minutes
Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Incorporate Sauerkraut and Potatoes:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 10 minutes
Add drained and rinsed sauerkraut, diced potatoes, and bay leaf to the pot. Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
6. Adjust Seasoning:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 2 minutes
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf.
7. Serve:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 1 minute
Ladle the sauerkraut soup into bowls. Optionally, top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.
8. Enjoy:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 1 minute
Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of sauerkraut soup!
Note:
- You can customize the soup by adding other vegetables like cabbage or bell peppers.
- Adjust the level of sourness by choosing a sauerkraut with your preferred tanginess.
- Serve the soup with crusty bread for a hearty meal.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 1200mg
Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
