Begova Supa (Bey's Soup)
A rich and comforting chicken and vegetable soup, considered a national dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's known for its delicate flavor and nourishing ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Whole chicken(cut into pieces)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 1 medium Parsnip(diced)
- 1 large Celery stalk(diced)
- 2 medium Potatoes(diced)
- 1 medium Leek(white and light green parts, sliced)
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 0.25 cup Fresh lovage(chopped (optional, but traditional))
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 100 ml Sour cream
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2.5 liters Water or chicken broth
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place chicken pieces in a large pot, cover with water or broth, add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until chicken is cooked through. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
⏱️ 1 hour - 2
Remove chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Strain the broth into a clean pot, discarding solids.
- 3
Add diced carrots, parsnip, celery, leek, and potatoes to the strained broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 4
While vegetables cook, debone the chicken and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard skin and bones.
- 5
Add the shredded chicken meat and chopped parsley (and lovage, if using) to the soup. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 6
In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sour cream until smooth. Gradually temper the egg mixture by slowly whisking in about 1 cup of hot soup broth. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
💡 Tip: Ensure the soup is not boiling when tempering the eggs. - 7
Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot of soup, stirring constantly. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Heat gently for a few more minutes, but do not boil.
💡 Tip: The soup should thicken slightly and become creamy.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Lovage is a traditional herb that adds a unique, slightly celery-like flavor. If unavailable, a bit more parsley can be used, but the flavor will be different.
- ✓For a richer broth, you can use a combination of water and good quality chicken broth.
- ✓Ensure the soup is not boiling when you add the egg yolk and sour cream mixture to prevent curdling.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a small amount of finely chopped leek or even a bay leaf for added depth of flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. Add more diverse root vegetables like celeriac.