Winter treat - sauerkraut soup with sausage

I know you probably want me to write about Czech cakes and sweets, and believe me, I will. But first, I have to share this warming soup recipe with you because it’s cold outside, which means I can only think about meals that will warm me up. Besides, you can't live on cakes alone. Believe me, you can't. Jan has tried, and ultimately failed (although he had a good run...).Well, this sauerkraut soup might not look cool or hip, as it has Eastern Europe written all over it. But for all the disagreeable clichés about Eastern Europe and its sauerkraut-based cuisine, this is a hell of a winter dish. Once you try this substantial, rich and quite filling soup, your doubts will melt away. This isn’t just a starter: it’s a whole meal by itself.

You should know that there is no one recipe to make the "zelňačka". Every cook has their own magic formula, and as far as I can tell, the only given constants are: meat, sauerkraut, potatoes and black pepper. The meaty version is more traditional; however, you can also make it vegetarian. I think that the use of sauerkraut as well as sugar and sour cream is key to this soup in terms of flavoring. The recipe below is an accurate description of how my mom used to make this soup, and she always got raves from everyone who tried it. So even though this is not the only way to prepare this soup, this recipe is our family gold! Respect!

Sauerkraut soup with sausage

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• small piece of bacon
• 2 pieces of sausage (different kinds for texture), sliced or diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 3 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 4 balls all spice
• 1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 cups sauerkraut, drained, rinsed briefly and chopped roughly (save the juice)
• 8 prunes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• chili
• salt, sugar, ground black pepper and sauerkraut juice to adjust the taste
• 1 cup sour cream

Preparation:

1. Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat and add oil and bacon. Cook until the bacon is golden, 4 minutes.
2. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, about 4 minutes.  Add sausages and cook for 2 more minutes.
3. Take off the stove and add the paprika, caraway seeds, all spice and tomato paste, stir properly, put back on the stove and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the potatoes, stock, water and thyme and cook until potatoes are almost tender (if you put the sauerkraut too early, potatoes will not cook properly and will be crunchy), about 15 minutes.
5. Add the sauerkraut, garlic, chili, prunes and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 min.
6. In separate cup mix 3 tablespoons of sour cream with 3 tablespoons of broth and add the mixture to the soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning - the combination of sauerkraut juice which gives the soup a great tang, sugar, salt and pepper makes a perfect sweet-sour flavor that I think really makes this soup shine.
7. Serve immediately, with a spoon of sour cream on top.

Sample some of the best food Prague has to offer during the Prague Restaurant Festival

For the third year running, the Grand Restaurant Festival returns to restaurants across the twelve regions of the Czech Republic from Sunday, January 15 to Wednesday, February 15. Twenty-eight eateries will participate in Prague alone – all of them listed in the Grand Restaurant Guide assembled by the event's organiser and famed food critic Pavel Maurer, who has also founded the annual Prague Food Festival.The Festival promotes high-quality Czech cuisine by Prague’s top and brightest chefs, along with local, seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes. Therefore, it offers a unique chance to taste some of the best food Prague and the rest of the Czech Republic have to offer for something between CZK 200 and 600.

So, have a look at the menus and tell us what are your cravings! Here is the list of restaurants we are definitely going to visit…

V Zátiší – as a treat for Jan’s mum, I especially look forward to the appetizer plate and warm gingerbread with caramel sauce

Bellevue – want to try their version of crème bulee

Alcron – their glazed beef belly sounds wonderful

Sansho – the 12-hour beef rendang is out of this world

SaSaZu – this is one of our most favourite places in Prague

Miyabi – just because we’ve never been to but heard great things about this oldest Japanese restaurant in Prague

Chateau Mcely, Piano Nobile – I’ve wanted to take my boyfriend there for a long time

Koishi – a necessary stop on our way to Moravia to visit my father... ...and take home his homemade slivovitz...

Christmas dining in Prague

Czech Christmas in a nutshell: Christmas tree decorating and gift-wrapping with joyful songs in the background, family having a substantial meal followed by Christmas cookies and unwrapping presents. This all is done on the 24th - Christmas Eve. There is no Santa nor St. Nicholas, but Baby Jesus who delivers all the presents (the imagery stops there - there is no sled or rain deer; Baby Jesus just gets the job done without going into the specifics). Traditionally, one member of the family (my sister) decorates the tree while the others prepare dinner or watch fairy tales. When everything is ready, the whole family (except the mum who is finishing the dinner) usually goes out to get some fresh air and little kids are being taken for sleigh rides. Arriving home to a house smelling of wonderful fish soup, fried carp, potato salad, Christmas cookies and "vánočka" Christmas bread with a huge Christmas tree and heaps of present magically appearing out of nowhere is the best part of being a kid during Christmas.Spending Christmas abroad is another story, but it doesn’t necessarily mean having to miss out on the whole Christmas tree, Christmas dinner and presents business! In Prague, the whole city wonderfully becomes a Christmas wonderland with Christmas lights, fairs, and countless festive things to do and eat! Happen to be in Prague on Christmas Eve and Day? Do you want to celebrate Christmas with your family and friends in one of the outstanding Prague restaurants? We’ve rounded up some inspiration for a truly festive fun time.

Aromi

Italian restaurant Aromi has prepared a special four-course menu that combines both Italian and Czech cuisines and that aims to offer the best of both countries'   Christmas traditions.

Restaurant La Finestra

The meaty counterpart to its sister restaurant Aromi has also prepared a Christmas menu inspired by both Czech and Italian traditional cuisines.

La Rotonde and Alcron

For Christmas Eve, La Rotonde restaurant offers a special buffet menu featuring traditional Christmas specialties such as fried carp and potato salad, roast duck with dumplings and red cabbage, all accompanied by holiday music. 
The guests of the award-winning Alcron Restaurant, an intimate restaurant that seats only 24 people, can savor an exclusive seven-course dinner.

Terasa U Zlaté Studně

Terasa U Zlaté Studně (Golden Well) restaurant, a spot that boast one of the nicest views over historical Prague, offers an exclusive seven-course menu. However, they also serve a la carte dishes.

Chateau Mcely

If you feel like enjoying calm and worry-free Christmas, just take a short ride from Prague to the Chateau Mcely - their team will take good care of you. This place has a unique atmosphere that combines the aristocratic traditions of the Thurn-Taxis family with the magic of Advent, and the food is divine.