Thursday, September 29, 2011

NANI'S CABBAGE SOUP


Cabbage is in season...and my Hungarian roots are showing! 

My Nani knew her way around cabbages! She made Halupki's (stuffed cabbage), Halushki (cabbbage and noodles) and Cabbage Soup! I learned from my grandmother. I remember how wonderful her kitchen smelled!

If you like Halupki's you will love cabbage soup. Even if you think cabbage soup sounds suspect, you should give it a try! It is delicious! Just perfect for this time of year!

Simple ingredients and easy to make, this tasty soup can stand on it's own as a meal! Of course I'll add a chewy Jewish seeded rye bread.

The measurements in Nani's Cabbage Soup are broad and liberal. I learned by watching, not measuring. This recipe is what I call "Peasant Food"...nothing too precise... people used what they had. These are my very favorite recipes! Adjust it as you see fit.

SG TIDBIT: This is NOT Weight Watcher's Cabbage Soup! It has lots of meat and a rich rich flavor.



Nani's Cabbage Soup
This makes a big pot!
1 large head of green cabbage, or 2 medium 
1-2 large yellow onion
4-6 TBS vegetable oil
4-6 thick bone-in pork chops and country ribs (I use 3-4 large bone-in pork chops and a pound of country bone-in ribs)
10 cups water
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can tomato soup
1 can crushed stewed tomatoes
2 TBS butter
1/4 cup flour
salt and pepper



In a large stock pot, add oil over medium heat. Salt and pepper the pork chops. Add pork chops and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes each side.

SG TIP:  Make sure to use enough meat. You are making a rich base for your soup~ watery tasting soup is a big culinary faux pas!

Remove pork chops and reserve.  Add onions and a little more olive oil if needed. Cook onions until translucent.

Return pork chops and any juices to the pot, add water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 hour, uncovered. Skim scum from the top of soup if needed.

Rough chop cabbage and put into the soup pot.



Add tomato soup and crushed stewed tomatoes. Simmer for 1 hour, uncovered. Add potatoes the last 15 minutes of cooking time. Salt and pepper.

Remove pork chops from soup and let cool. .

Make a roux ~ melt butter in a large skillet. Add flour and combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly blond. Add 1 cup of soup broth and make a roux. Whisk until the flour is incorporated and no lumps. Add an additional 1/2~1 cup of soup broth and mix. Cook until thickened. Add the thickened roux to the soup.

Simmer soup for 10 minutes until soup thickens a little.

Meanwhile, shred or chop pork and return the meat to the soup pot.

Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream!


Printable Recipe

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