Simple cabbage soup without frying
6 servings
150 minutes
Simple shchi without frying is the quintessence of Russian cuisine, where each spoon is filled with warmth and soulfulness. This version of the traditional soup highlights the natural flavors of fresh ingredients while preserving their purity and aroma. The broth made from bones enriches the dish with depth of flavor, while the combination of cabbage, potatoes, and carrots provides softness and tenderness. Bay leaves, black pepper, and garlic add light spicy notes, while fresh tomatoes and sweet bell peppers bring a subtle sweet-sour freshness. Shchi is not just a soup but a true symbol of home comfort that warms on cold days and evokes nostalgia for childhood. It is perfect for both everyday meals and Sunday family lunches.
1
We boil the broth, take meat with bone, wash it, pour cold water, bring to a boil, drain the water, wash the meat, wash the pot, pour water again, bring to a boil, if necessary - remove the foam, reduce the heat to minimum. We boil for about 2 hours until the meat starts to easily separate from the bone.
- Meat: 1 piece
2
The meat is cooked, we separate the fat, cut the meat, and put it back. We chop a medium onion into cubes, grate a little carrot (less than half of a medium carrot), add it to the broth (without frying!), and as soon as it starts to boil — we add finely chopped potatoes.
- Meat: 1 piece
- Onion: 1 piece
- Carrot: 0.5 piece
- Potato: 1 piece
3
Stir. As soon as it starts to boil, add the cabbage, a bay leaf, and a few black peppercorns.
- White cabbage: 0.3 piece
- Bay leaf: to taste
- Black peppercorns: to taste
4
Once it boils, add about 1/4 of a red bell pepper, half of a medium tomato or several halved cherry tomatoes (they're more interesting), and finely chopped greens.
- Red sweet pepper: 0.5 piece
- Tomatoes: 0.5 piece
- Dill: to taste
- Parsley: to taste
5
We cut a few cloves of garlic into 'tablets', leaving the rest whole.
- Garlic: 3 cloves
6
Cover with a lid, let it steep together for about 10-15 minutes, check the cabbage for readiness, taste it, and add salt to taste. Enjoy your meal!
- Bay leaf: to taste