Romanian Ciorbă de Legume – Sieved

Ingredients

• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 parsnips, chopped
• 1 celeriac (or 2 celery sticks), chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1.5L water
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tbsp sour cream (smântână)
• Bunch fresh parsley and lovage (leuştean)
• Salt

Method

1. 1

   Place all vegetables in a large pot with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer 35 minutes until very tender.

2. 2

   Add lemon juice and fresh herbs. Simmer 5 more minutes.

3. 3

   Pass entirely through a fine sieve or blend then strain – the liquid only.

4. 4

   Whisk sour cream with a ladle of hot broth, then stir into the soup.

5. 5

   Season with salt. Adjust acidity with more lemon if needed.