Description
Hearty Polish-inspired cabbage, sausage, and potato soup warms winter evenings with rustic flavors from Eastern European kitchens. Comfortable comfort unfolds in each spoonful, inviting home cooks to savor rich, satisfying comfort perfect for chilly nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced
Vegetables:
- 4 cups cabbage, chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, diced (Yukon gold or red potatoes)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes (optional)
Herbs, Spices, and Liquid:
- 6 cups chicken broth (or beef broth for a richer flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, drizzling olive oil across the bottom.
- Sear sausage slices until they develop a rich golden-brown exterior, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Introduce diced onions into the identical pot, allowing them to soften and become translucent.
- Quickly incorporate minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence without burning.
- Layer the pot with chopped cabbage, cubed potatoes, tomatoes, and a medley of seasonings including smoked paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and a solitary bay leaf.
- Cascade chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, elevating heat until the liquid reaches a vigorous boil.
- Reduce thermal intensity, secure the lid, and allow the concoction to gently simmer, transforming potatoes into tender morsels.
- Reintroduce the previously seared sausage, permitting it to harmonize with the soup’s flavors for several additional minutes.
- Extract the bay leaf, taste and calibrate seasonings as needed.
- Embellish with freshly chopped parsley and present alongside crusty artisan bread for a robust, comforting meal.
Notes
- Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian version that maintains robust flavor profiles.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium chicken broth and monitoring salt quantities during seasoning stages.
- Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for additional nutritional benefits and a slightly different texture experience.
- Enhance soup’s richness by adding a splash of heavy cream or stirring in grated Parmesan cheese before serving for extra depth and creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg