Russian Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:

500g piece of raw smoked ham

1 tbsp butter

1 leek, finely sliced

2 carrots, peeled and diced

1 large parsnip, peeled and diced

1 turnip, peeled diced

200g cabbage, shredded

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

400g tin of chopped tomatoes

70g tomato puree

2 bay leaves

1 tsp black peppercorns

1 litre vegetable stock

1 pickled gherkin, diced; plus 200ml liquid from the jar of pickled gherkins (or 200ml apple cider vinegar)

Smetana or low fat soured cream

How to prepare:

  1. Place the ham in a large pan of cold water, bring to the boil and skim off any impurities. Leave to simmer for 30 minutes, drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Allow the ham to cool and then cut it into cubes. (It will cook fully in the soup).
  3. Heat the butter in a very large pan over a medium heat. Add the leek and fry gently for 3 minutes.
  4. Add the carrots, parsnip, turnip, cabbage, garlic, tomatoes, tomato puree, bay leaves, peppercorns and stock.
  5. Return the cooked ham to the pot and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes, until the vegetables and ham are cooked through.
  6. Stir in the gherkins and their juice and reheat gently.
  7. Ladle into warmed serving bowls and top each one with a tablespoon of smetana.

Approximatley 319kcal, 9.4g fibre and 27.8g protein per serving

107

Calories per serving