Russian Solyanka soup


It has been quite a while since my last blog, I keep meaning to blog, but keeping getting distracted by our dear son Sergio (15 months old). If he isn't teething, he has a cold, and when he has neither of those.
He is due a shot that makes him cranky until one of the aformetioned happens again. Seems to happen that way anyway.

I expect this will continue until he is at least 10!  In the meantime here are some catchup shots: Yep eating, and now walking/standing staring at tv (too often) and wearing a bizarre "ladies man" bib.



As mentioned a while ago, one of my favorite places to dine in southern Russia is a 24hr cafe pretty close to the main airport we fly into,  the main reason this is my favourite is the delicious solyanka soup that is served throughout the day.

Throughout every culture the peasants eat well, and Russia is no different to anywhere else. This warming, filling soup is something we eat quite often, when taking a break from pasta.

Essentially this is a chefs or home-makers dream, it is basically a "left overs" soup, but as well as being a blessing to a professional kitchen its a useful trick for the home too, especially in harsh economic times (everyday in our house).

A few storecupboard basics, and a few scraps presto you have a delicious soup.


INGREDIENTS:


250g leftovers of beef, chicken, duck, or fish (in below recipe duck was used)
5 cups of vegetable stock
100g smoked bacon, or sausage diced
150g diced gherkin
1 Onion, diced
2 tablespoons of tomato paste/concentrate
1 cup of black olives
3 bay leaves

Garnish slices of lemon, sprig of dill and parsley.

METHOD:

-Fry the diced onion in a little oil, then add the remainder of the ingredients and simmer gently for approximately 45 minutes.

- Serve and garnish with slices of lemon, and some fresh dill, and/or parsley, a dollop of soured cream is optional, but almost obligatory in Russia. I however, just eat it with crusty bread.


Enjoy!!

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