Light Solyanka Soup

Light Solyanka Soup is an exquisite, savory dish that combines an array of flavorful ingredients to create a hearty bowl of comfort. This soup is perfect for a cozy evening, blending the smoky essence of cured chicken with the tangy notes of tomato paste and pickled cucumbers. It's a culinary journey where tender vegetables, such as carrots, red onions, and mushrooms, meet the rich protein of chicken breasts and hearts. The preparation requires some planning, particularly the night before to infuse the flavors together optimally. This 'light' version is a more delicate take on the traditional, providing robust taste without being overwhelmingly rich. The addition of olives adds a layer of briny depth, while dill and bay leaves provide herbaceous notes. Adjusting the amount of each ingredient allows for personalization based on your palate preferences. Serve it with a slice of lemon and a dollop of sour cream to enhance the overall flavor profile. Enjoy each spoonful, as every bite tells its own story of craftsmanship and tradition.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 200 g carrots
• 300 g red onions
• 150 g green olives
• 100 g salted cucumbers
• 300 g tomato paste
• 100 g mushrooms
• 1 smoked (dried) chicken
• 400 g chicken breast bones
• 100 g chicken white meat
• 200 g chicken hearts
• 2 bay leaves
• 20 g dill (can be frozen)
• Cooking oil for frying

For Serving

• Lemon
• Sour cream

Preparation Time

• Total: 180 min (includes overnight resting time for the tomato paste mixture)

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Prepare the Tomato Paste: Pour the tomato paste into a heated pan and cook until it begins to brown.
2. Mix with Cucumbers: Turn off the heat, add chopped salted cucumbers to the hot paste, and let it cool.
3. Refrigerate Overnight: Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 12 or more hours to let flavors meld.
4. Chop Main Ingredients: Dice the vegetables and proteins finely, slice the mushrooms thinly.
5. Prepare Broth: In a large pot, start cold water with smoked chicken, chicken bones, and white meat.
6. Cook Chicken: As it boils, occasionally stir and remove foam, cook until meat separates easily from bones.
7. Separate Chicken: Take out chicken once done, separate meat from bones, and keep covered.
8. Sauté Vegetables: Heat oil in a pan, lightly sauté carrots, then onions separately, placing them aside.
9. Cook Hearts and Mushrooms: Strongly brown chicken hearts and sliced mushrooms in the oil.
10. Combine Ingredients: Add sautéed carrots, hearts, and pre-prepared tomato paste mixture into the broth.
11. Season with Herbs: Include bay leaves and pepper, let simmer.
12. Add Vegetables: Once carrots are semi-soft, add onions, mushrooms, and dill, continue simmering.
13. Reintegrate Chicken: Add deboned chicken back as the vegetables are nearly cooked.
14. Final Boil: Allow the soup to come back to a boil, then add olives with their juice.
15. Flavor Finish: Place a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of sour cream on serving per individual taste.
16. Salt Reminder: Do not add salt at any point and avoid using pickled cucumbers.
17. Serve Hot: Ladle into bowls, garnish if desired.
18. Mindfully Enjoy: As it's best served hot, savor its complex flavors.
19. Storage Advice: Can be refrigerated for later use, as flavors continue blending beautifully over time.
20. Ready to Delight: With careful preparation, this soup is a culinary masterpiece waiting to be enjoyed!

Tips

• Customization: Adjust ingredient quantities to your liking for a perfectly balanced taste.
• Olive Juice: Adds unique flavor, so ensure it's well incorporated.
• Serving: Always have lemon and sour cream on hand for traditional garnishing.

Variations

• For a vegetarian version, omit the meats and replace with more mushrooms or tofu.
• For a richer flavor, beef broth can be used instead of chicken.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair this soup with fresh crusty bread or a light salad.
• A chilled glass of white wine complements the soup's flavors wonderfully.

Best Places

• Café Pushkin - A classic Russian eatery famous for its authentic dishes. Location: 26A Tverskoy Blvd, Moscow, Russia.
• White Rabbit - Known for its innovative take on traditional meals. Location: Smolenskaya Square, 3, Moscow, Russia.
• Mari Vanna - Offers a cozy, homelike experience with traditional recipes. Location: 116 Knightsbridge, London, UK.
• Zhivago - Evokes the grandeur of Soviet cuisine. Location: 15 Tverskaya St, Moscow, Russia.
• Sakhalin - Known for splendid views and exceptional Russian dishes. Location: Smolenskaya Square, 5, Moscow, Russia.
• Pelmeni Pelmeni - Specializes in dumplings but offers superb soups. Location: Glowny Rynek 1, Kraków, Poland.
• Samovar Bar - Combines Russian classics with modern flair. Location: Massenerstr. 128, Berlin, Germany.
• KACHKA - A Portland restaurant boasting Soviet comfort food. Location: 960 SE 11th Ave, Portland, USA.
• Restaurant Matryoshka - Offers a genuine Russian dining experience. Location: Embankment of the Kutuzov, 2B, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
• Vatrushka Café - Offers a quaint, rustic café atmosphere with traditional dishes. Location: Kraylshuser Str 152, Munich, Germany.