Korhelyleves – Hungarian Hangover Soup

Ingredients

• 200 g smoked sausage (kolbász), sliced
• 1 tbsp oil or lard
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 500 g sauerkraut (rinsed lightly if very sour)
• 1 liter water or broth
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 150 ml sour cream
• 1 tbsp flour
• Optional: pinch of hot paprika or chili

Instructions

1. Sauté base
   Heat fat, cook onion until soft. Add sausage and lightly brown.
2. Paprika step
   Remove from heat, stir in paprika quickly.
3. Add sauerkraut & spices
   Return to heat, add garlic, caraway, bay leaf, sauerkraut and liquid.
4. Simmer
   Cook gently 25–30 minutes so flavors blend.
5. Creamy finish
   Mix sour cream with flour, temper with hot soup, stir back in.
   Simmer 5 minutes (don’t boil hard).