Great Grandma Elzbietas Lithuanian Cabbage Soup Recipes

Steps:

• In a large pot, place the sauerkraut, chicken stock, smoked meat, peppercorns and bay leaves. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce temperature, cover and simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Meat should be tender.
• Remove meat, discard bones, dice and return to the pot. Add the shredded cabbage, tomatoes and onion. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook another hour or so.
• Add water, as necessary, to keep it soupy.
• To serve, remove the bay leaves and dish up, with hot boiled potatoes on the side.
• Note: If you prefer, substitute 1 cup shredded carrots for the tomatoes. Smoked turkey is a good substitute for the ham hocks. And there is nothing wrong with a nice hambone!
• Note2: You can drain and rinse the sauerkraut for a milder dish, but I think this is pretty mild, because of all the liquid and the fresh cabbage.
• Note3: You can reduce the amount of chicken stock if you need to - the meat will add a lot of substance to the liquid. I also have used the strained liquid left over after cooking a corned beef in the crock.

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Stir in onion and garlic, cook until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in water, bouillon, salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then stir in cabbage.
• Simmer until cabbage wilts, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes.
• Return to a boil, then simmer 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often.