Ciorbă de Praz
Leek Soup
Ciorbă de Praz is a traditional Romanian sour soup primarily made with leeks and a variety of other vegetables. It's known for its refreshing and slightly tangy flavor, often enhanced with borș (fermented wheat bran) or a touch of sour cream. This hearty yet light soup is a comforting dish, perfect as a starter or a light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Leeks(white and light green parts only, washed and sliced)
- 300 g Potatoes(peeled and diced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and diced)
- 2 Celery stalks(diced)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 1 Bell pepper(diced (any color))
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1.5 L Vegetable stock or water
- 100 ml Borș (fermented wheat bran liquid)(or lemon juice to taste)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley or lovage(chopped, for garnish)
- Sour cream(optional, for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
- 2
Add the sliced leeks and diced bell pepper to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the leeks begin to soften.
- 3
Add the diced potatoes and pour in the vegetable stock or water. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes and leeks are tender.
- 4
Stir in the borș (or lemon juice), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If using borș, let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes.
- 5
Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or lovage. Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream on the side if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a creamier soup, you can blend a portion of it before adding the borș.
- ✓If you don't have borș, lemon juice can be used to achieve a similar sourness.
- ✓Feel free to add other seasonal vegetables like parsnips or zucchini.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some recipes include a small amount of tomato paste for color and depth of flavor.
- Noodles can be added to the soup for a more substantial meal.