Best Christmas Eve Zapraska Soup Recipes

SLOVAK SAUERKRAUT CHRISTMAS SOUP

Steps:

• 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.
• Remove the meat from the soup, and set aside. Remove bay leaves, and discard.
• 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.
• To serve, ladle into bowls, and top with a dollop of sour cream.

SLOVAK CHRISTMAS EVE MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Saute chopped onions in 1 cup butter until golden brown.
• Add finely chopped mushrooms to onions, and cook until mushrooms are done.
• Add water and cans of sauerkraut juice, bring to boil, lower heat and simmer 1/2 hour.
• In a small sauce pan brown remaining 1/4 cup butter, adding flour to make a roux.
• Slowly add some soup juice (about 2 cups) to the roux, stirring to blend.
• Add roux to soup and cook another 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Serve.

CHRISTMAS EVE ZAPRASKA SOUP

Steps:

• Cook the vegetables in water for 1 1/2 hours. Add the zapraska and sauerkraut juice and cook for 30 more minutes.
• **To prepare zapraska:
• Brown the flour in the oil until pasty, add the water mixing constantly until smooth. Add to the soup and follow instructions above.