Unbelievably delicious "Shchi"

6 servings

180 minutes

Shchi is the heart of Russian cuisine, a warming soup that fills the home with coziness and aromas of tradition. This recipe transports us to ancient Russian izbas where every housewife knew how to cook shchi with love. Its rich flavor unfolds through the slow stewing of cabbage, aromatic meat broth, and gentle frying of onions and carrots. Sauerkraut adds a slight tanginess while the added spices deepen and enrich the taste. Shchi is served hot with thick sour cream, fresh herbs, and garlic, creating a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication. This dish is nourishing, warms in cold weather, and preserves the coziness of Russian tradition by uniting generations at the family table.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 348.8
• Proteins: 28g
• Fats: 21.2g
• Carbohydrates: 12.7g

Ingredients

• Beef with bones: 500 g
• Pork ham: 300 g
• White cabbage: 600 g
• Onion: 2 pc
• Carrot: 2 pc
• Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
• Salt: to taste
• Ground black pepper: to taste
• Bay leaf: to taste
• Sour cream: to taste
• Green: to taste
• Garlic: to taste
• Apple cider vinegar: 2 tbsp

Cooking steps

1. First, prepare the cabbage. Remove the outer leaves, wash, and cut into thin strips. Place the cabbage in a container, add salt, sugar, and apple cider vinegar, and massage with hands until juice is released. Cover with a plate and place under a weight in the refrigerator for two days.

   Required ingredients:

   • White cabbage: 600 g
   • Salt:  to taste
   • Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons

2. Place beef and pork in a pot, add 3-4 liters of cold water, and boil for 2-3 hours over moderate heat. After the broth boils, add roasted onions and carrots and parsley stems; reduce the heat to minimum. Cook for another 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef with bones: 500 g
   • Pork ham: 300 g
   • Onion: 2 pieces
   • Carrot: 2 pieces

3. Place the cabbage in a pot, add some water and tomato paste. Simmer on low heat for 2 to 12 hours.

   Required ingredients:

   • White cabbage: 600 g
   • Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons

4. Peel the onion and carrot, cut into thin strips, and fry in vegetable oil.

   Required ingredients:

   • Onion: 2 pieces
   • Carrot: 2 pieces

5. Cool the meat and cut it into strips.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef with bones: 500 g
   • Pork ham: 300 g

6. Add cabbage and onion with carrot to the boiling broth.

   Required ingredients:

   • White cabbage: 600 g
   • Onion: 2 pieces
   • Carrot: 2 pieces

7. Add the chopped meat and season with salt and pepper. Add a bay leaf and remove from heat.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef with bones: 500 g
   • Pork ham: 300 g
   • Salt:  to taste
   • Ground black pepper:  to taste
   • Bay leaf:  to taste

8. When serving, garnish with sour cream, greens, and garlic.

   Required ingredients:

   • Sour cream:  to taste
   • Green:  to taste
   • Garlic:  to taste