Hungarian Sweet N Sour Cabbage Soup Recipes

SWEET AND SOUR CABBAGE SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the beef shanks and water in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a very low simmer. Use a strainer to skim off any foam on the surface. Add the carrot pieces, whole onions, celery stalks, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Simmer for 4 hours, skimming the surface occasionally.
• Strain the stock. Discard the vegetables but reserve the meat. Allow the stock to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a covered container and refrigerate overnight. When the beef shanks are cool, remove the meat from the bones. Discard bones and gristle. Dice the meat and any remaining marrow into small cubes. Cover the container and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, heat the vegetable oil in a stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and 1 diced onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika and cook 1 additional minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly wilted and reduced in bulk, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the beef stock from the refrigerator; skim and discard any fat. Pour the stock into the pot; stir in the reserved chopped beef. Add the tomatoes with their juice. Bring the soup to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the soup, partially covered, until the cabbage is quite soft, about 1 hour.
• Stir in the lemon juice, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper. Add more water, if desired, for a thinner soup. Cook for 5 minutes, uncovered. Taste and adjust the seasonings before serving.

HUNGARIAN SWEET 'N' SOUR CABBAGE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
• Add the onion, garlic, and caraway seeds, and saute, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent.
• Stir in the paprika, and cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously.
• Add the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato puree, cold water, and vinegar. Bring the soup to a simmer,.
• Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the cabbage and lemon zest; continue to simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until the cabbage is tender.
• Add the honey.
• Season the soup with the salt and pepper and the optional smoked paprika.

GERMAN-STYLE SWEET AND SOUR RED CABBAGE SOUP

Steps:

• Serve with grilled Swiss or extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese on pumpernickel or whole grain bread.;
• Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, and bacon. Brown and crisp bacon and remove to a plate, draining off some fat if you have more than enough to lightly coat the bottom of the pot.
• Add the onions, carrots, caraway, and apples, and stir a few minutes. Then wilt in the cabbage and season with black pepper and some freshly grated nutmeg. Cover with the lid slightly ajar and wilt cabbage while you prepare the sachet. Fill the cheesecloth with the juniper berries, cloves, bay leaves, orange rind, and cinnamon, and use kitchen twine to tie it to the side of the pot. Drop it into the pot and stir into the cabbage. Add the vinegar, keeping your head back from the hot pot, brown sugar, stock, and water, and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until cabbage is very tender and soup has thickened. Stir the bacon bits back in, then adjust the salt to your taste.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal, or serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.