Description
Hearty cabbage beef delight soup delivers comfort with rich, savory flavors from tender beef and garden-fresh vegetables. Polish culinary traditions inspire this warming bowl that satisfies hunger and warms souls.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef (85% lean recommended)
- 6 cups (1.4 L) beef stock or broth
- 1 28-oz (794 g) can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 small head of cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped (or 2 bags of pre-shredded coleslaw)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup (120 ml) uncooked rice
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive or avocado oil
- 2 tsps paprika
- 1 tsp dried dill weed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- V8 juice or water (for thinning soup, if necessary)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium flame. Crumble ground beef and add diced onion and bell pepper, searing until meat browns and vegetables soften, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Seasoning and Infusion: Introduce salt, black pepper, crushed tomatoes, beef stock, bay leaf, dried dill, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Elevate heat to trigger a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Rice Integration and Reduction: Sprinkle uncooked white rice evenly across the simmering liquid. Continue cooking uncovered, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and ensure uniform texture. The soup will gradually thicken and rice will become tender, creating a hearty, satisfying consistency.
- Final Refinement: Assess soup density, using V8 juice or water to adjust viscosity if needed. Taste and calibrate seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf to eliminate any potential bitterness.
- Presentation: Ladle the rich, aromatic soup into warm serving bowls. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish that enhances visual appeal and adds a layer of fresh flavor.
Notes
- Meat Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned to develop rich, deep flavors and eliminate raw meat texture.
- Cabbage Cooking Tip: Chop cabbage uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Rice Absorption Hack: Stir rice carefully to prevent clumping and achieve perfect tenderness without becoming mushy.
- Liquid Adjustment Strategy: Keep extra V8 juice or water nearby to modify soup consistency, allowing for personalized thickness preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg