Shchi - Russian Cabbage Soup

Joseph Johnson's Note:

Shchi has been a Russian staple for centuries for many reasons. It is very cheap, easily changed according to what ingredients are available, keeps well, and has many vitamins and minerals in each serving. It can be made with meat or vegetarian. This is my version of the recipe :)

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 8.0 bowls

• 8 cups beef stock (Vegetable Stock or Water for vegetarian)
• 1 1/2 lbs green cabbage
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 medium potatoes
• 2 medium onions
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 2 small radishes
• 1 leek (bottom half only)
• 1 large carrot
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon caraway seed
• 2 tablespoons sour cream (or Smetana, per bowl)
• 1 teaspoon dill (per bowl)
• 1 teaspoon parsley (per bowl)

Directions:

1. Core and shred the green cabbage.
2. Peel and chop the garlic.
3. Peel and chop the potatoes into large chunks.
4. Peel and chop the onions.
5. Wash and chop the tomatoes.
6. Peel and dice the radishes.
7. Wash and slice the leek into thin circles.
8. Peel and grate the carrot.
9. Melt the butter in a large pot or pan.
10. Add garlic, onion, radish, leek and carrot. Saute on high heat approximately 5-10 minutes until vegetables have softened.
11. Add beef stock (vegetable stock or water) and bring to a boil.
12. Add green cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and caraway seed.
13. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for approximately one hour or until all vegetables are done, stirring occasionally.
14. Remove and discard bay leaves.
15. Finely chop dill and/or parsley.
16. Ladle into bowls.
17. Add a dollop of sour cream (or smetana) on top and sprinkle with chopped dill and/or parsley.
18. Ideally, refrigerate after cooling and wait 1-2 days to serve as shchi is usually allowed to "cure" for a short time. In my opinion, it tastes great fresh or re-heated. Can also be served cold.
19. Pumpernickel or rye bread and butter make a great side.
20. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Reviews

[iris5555]

I didn't add radish, used scallions instead of leeks and added tomato sauce rather than tomatoes, so I didn't exactly follow the recipe. However, this was delicious. The sour cream makes this taste especially wonderful!

[Kristine at Food.com]

Made this with veggie stock but otherwise followed the suggested ingredients -- very yummy and comforting. Hardest part was shredding the cabbage. :) Definitely tasted better the next day!

[Da Huz]

Absolutely phenomenal! By far my new favorite soup! Dark rye bread is recommended for dipping. We used chicken stock - I'm allergic to beef. We added a pound of sausage in step 2. We also used 2.5 lbs cabbage instead of 1.5 lbs, and 7 red potatoes (skin on) instead of the 3 medium potatoes.