Sausage and Cabbage Ciorba

Ciorba, Romanian "sour soup," is a delicious slightly-sour soup that often contains meat and an assortment of vegetables. The sourness can be from any number of things (lemons, borscht, vinegar, etc.) and is often mellowed by the addition of a dollop of sour cream when serving.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb hot Italian sausage (cut or shaped into bite-size pieces)
• 1  tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 6  cups green cabbage, shredded (approximately half a head of a medium sized cabbage)
• 1  onion, sliced
• 1  tablespoon caraway seed (more or less to taste)
• 1  tablespoon red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 6  cups  chicken stock
• 1⁄2 cup white vinegar (more or less to taste)
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Brown the sausage in the EVOO over med-high heat.
2. Add the cabbage and onions. Continue to cook over med-high heat for approximately 10 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked through.
3. Add the caraway seeds and pepper flakes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, skimming foam from top.
4. Stir in vinegar and taste.
5. Add sour cream, if desired, when served.
6. Note: you may also add a potatoes or noodles to make this a more substantial dish.