Slovak Sauerkraut Christmas Soup

This is a very special Slovak Christmas soup made with sausage, ham and sauerkraut. I have made it for many foreigners and they were always amazed.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 386 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt to taste
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 ½ quarts chicken broth
• 6 black peppercorns
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons sweet Hungarian paprika
• ¾ cup chopped pitted prunes
• 1 (32 ounce) package sauerkraut, chopped
• 2 cups dried forest mushroom blend
• ¾ pound Hungarian style dry paprika sausage
• ¾ pound smoked ham

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place the sauerkraut, chicken broth, peppercorns, bay leaves, salt and mushrooms into a large pot, and bring to a boil. Add the sausage and whole piece of ham. Let it simmer over medium heat for 1 1/2 hours. Add the prunes after the first hour.

Step 2

Remove the meat from the soup, and set aside. Remove bay leaves, and discard.

Step 3

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and fry until clear. Sprinkle the flour and paprika over the onion; cook and stir for a minute. Gradually stir in the water with a fork so that no lumps form. Bring to a boil, and allow to thicken. Pour into the soup pot. Cube the sausage and ham, and stir into the soup. Bring to a boil, and cook for another 10 minutes.

Step 4

To serve, ladle into bowls, and top with a dollop of sour cream.