Soup is a universal comfort food, and there’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade cabbage soup to warm you up on a cold day. The humble cabbage, often overlooked as a hero in our kitchens, shines brightly in this recipe, adding a rich depth of flavor and a satisfying crunch. This cabbage soup recipe has its roots in Eastern European cuisine, where cabbage is a staple ingredient, known for its hearty and comforting qualities. The addition of caraway seeds gives it a unique twist, adding a hint of sweetness that perfectly balances the savory broth. I particularly love this recipe for its simplicity and versatility. You can easily tweak it to suit your taste and it’s a great way to use up any leftover cabbage. Plus, it’s an easy one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. So, let’s dive in and learn how to make this delicious, comforting cabbage soup.
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 4 lb. cabbage, shredded
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 6 c. water
- 1 (10 oz.) can condensed chicken bouillon or 4 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 Tbsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. caraway seed
Cooking Method
- Melt butter or margarine in large soup kettle and cook cabbage and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring to keep from sticking. Sprinkle with flour and mix well.
- Gradually add water, while stirring; heat until mixture reaches boiling point.
- Add all other ingredients and simmer over low heat for about one hour.
- Serves 8.
- Easy to prepare and simply delicious on a cold day.
- Best served with a pan of corn bread.
Calorie: 0
Total cooking time:
Difficulty level:
The Great Cabbage Soup Escapade
“Soup’s up!” I always wanted to say that, and guess what? I finally did. One rainy day, I decided to try my hand at the good old-fashioned Cabbage Soup. Yes, you read that right: Cabbage Soup. Not exactly the most glamorous dish, but hey, sometimes the most humble ingredients make the most comforting meals.
The Gathering of the Ingredients
So, there I was, standing in my kitchen, ingredients at the ready: 6 Tbsp. of butter (because margarine is for the weak), 4 lbs. of cabbage (shredded, not diced, thank you very much), 2 onions that had me crying harder than a soap opera, and 2 Tbsp. of flour. Let’s not forget the 6 cups of water, the condensed chicken, the can of tomatoes, lemon juice, sugar, and caraway seed. And yes, we are not skimping on the salt and pepper.
The Cabbage Onion Tango
First things first, I had to melt the butter in my gargantuan soup kettle. I threw in the onions and cabbage and let them dance around for about 15 minutes. I’m not gonna lie, I was half-tempted to grab a fork and eat it right then and there. I mean, butter, onions, and cabbage – what’s not to love? But we had a mission. So, I sprinkled the flour and gave it a good mix.
The Rolling Boil Drama
Next up, it was time to gradually add the water. And when I say gradually, I mean it. No dumping. This isn’t a pool party. We’re not creating a splash here. It was all about that low and slow stir, until the mixture hit the boiling point. Now, that’s what I call a hot tub time machine.
The Flavor Symphony
Now, for the fun part: adding all the other ingredients. In went the condensed chicken, the tomatoes, the lemon juice, the sugar, the salt, the pepper, and the caraway seed. It was like conducting a symphony of flavors. And then, it was time to simmer. This wasn’t a race, folks. We’re talking about an hour of low heat love.
The Taste of Victory
The finished soup was a sight to behold. The cabbage and onions had softened to a delicious tenderness, the broth was rich and savory thanks to the condensed chicken and tomatoes, and there was a delightful tang from the lemon juice. The sugar, salt, pepper, and caraway seed added a complex depth of flavor that made this humble soup something truly special.
The Cornbread Sidekick
What’s a superhero without a sidekick, right? So, in the spirit of all things delicious, I served up the soup with a pan of golden, crusty cornbread. The crunch of the cornbread was the perfect counterpoint to the velvety smoothness of the soup.
The Perfect Endnote
And there you have it, folks. The story of my Cabbage Soup escapade. Easy to prepare, and simply delicious on a cold day. A humble, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out. Just remember, it’s all about the journey and not the destination – even if the journey involves a few tears over onions.
The Moral of the Story
So, what did we learn today? That cabbage is the unsung hero of the vegetable world? That butter makes everything better? Or that soup and cornbread is the ultimate comfort food combo? Well, all of the above. But most importantly, that cooking should be fun, full of love, and a dash of humor. Here’s to more kitchen escapades!
