Slovak Sauerkraut Christmas Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

1 (32 ounce) package sauerkraut, chopped

2 1/2 quarts chicken broth

6 black peppercorns

4 bay leaves

salt to taste

2 cups dried forest mushroom blend

3/4 pound Hungarian style dry paprika sausage

3/4 pound smoked ham

3/4 cup chopped pitted prunes

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons sweet Hungarian paprika

1 cup water

1 cup sour cream

Instructions:

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.