Solyanka Soup

Preparation time: 30 min Cooking time: 2 hrs 30 min Easy - for beginners Serves: 4

Description

Solyanka is a thick, spicy, and sour soup in the Russian and Ukrainian cuisine. It may have originated in Ukraine in the 17th century. (The Kosher variation follows)

Ingredients

500 g bottom round beef, cubed
300 g ham, cubed
12 c beef boullion
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
6 medium-sized onions
6 Tb butter
3 pickle cucumbers
3 large tomatoes
1 cup mushrooms, sliced and sauteed in butter
5 frankfurters, thinly sliced
1 can pitted black olives
2 small lemons

Method

Place the meats, boullion, salt and pepper into a soup kettle. Bring to a boil and skim off several times until the broth is clear. Lower the heat and cook the meat until tender (about 2 hours) on low heat. Peel and slice the onions. Place in a skillet and saute in the butter until golden and transparent. Peel the cucumbers, discard the seeds, and cut into thin slices. Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes. Add the cucumbers to the onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and continue cooking for about 8 to 10 minutes. Combine the sauteed vegetables with the broth, and add the sliced frankfurters. Reheat. Cover the olives with water and boil for several minutes. Drain and add to the soup. Adjust the seasonings. Garnish with thin lemon slices.