Ukrainian Sauerkraut Soup (Kapusnyak)
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The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
---|---|
288 | Calories |
10g | Fat |
30g | Carbs |
20g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 288 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 10g | 13% |
Saturated Fat 3g | 17% |
Cholesterol 51mg | 17% |
Sodium 1030mg | 45% |
Total Carbohydrate 30g | 11% |
Dietary Fiber 6g | 23% |
Protein 20g | |
Calcium 150mg | 12% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This recipe for Ukrainian sauerkraut soup or kapusnyak (капусняк in Cyrillic) can be made completely vegetarian or with smoked or fresh pork spareribs as its base.
A special flavor can be achieved by using smoked meat versus unsmoked meat and dried imported mushrooms instead of fresh mushrooms. It's all about depth of flavor.
Be advised, this is just one way of making kapusnyak. Recipes vary with the cook. As you might expect, this soup's flavor only improves with time, so it's even better served the next day.
The Polish version is known as kapuśniak.
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked or fresh pork spareribs
- 10 cups water
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1 clove minced garlic (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 black peppercorns
- 1 large peeled and sliced carrot
- 1 large peeled and diced potato
- 1 ounce dried mushrooms or 1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
- 2 pounds sauerkraut drained and rinsed or unrinsed (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- Optional: salt (to taste)
- Garnish: chopped dill or parsley
Steps to Make It
Note: If using dried mushrooms, place them in a heatproof container. Pour over 1 cup boiling water, cover with plastic wrap and let steep while you continue with the recipe.
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, place spareribs, water, chopped onion, garlic (if using), bay leaf, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, skimming off the foam that rises to the surface.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Reduce heat and simmer until the meat is ready to fall off the bones. You may need to add more water.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Remove meat and, when cool enough to handle, chop into bite-size pieces. Reserve.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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To the Dutch oven with boiling liquid, add carrots, potatoes, mushrooms (along with strained soaking liquid if using dried mushrooms), and sauerkraut.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until sauerkraut is tender, about 30 minutes. Add more water, if necessary.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Adjust the seasonings. Fork blend 2 tablespoons flour with 2 tablespoons sour cream. Temper this mixture with a few ladles of hot soup. Return the tempered sour cream to soup and whisk until well incorporated and the soup has thickened slightly.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Return the meat to the soup, heat through and serve with fresh parsley or dill sprigs and rye bread on the side.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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