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a bowl of lightly red broth with broad wilted savoy cabbage pieces browned at some edges, fine pale sauerkraut shreds and irregular torn pink smoked ham pieces
Rachel Kim

Ham and Cabbage Soup with Sauerkraut

Roasted savoy cabbage gives this soup soft leaves with browned edges, while drained sauerkraut brings the tang that fresh cabbage alone can't provide. The tomato paste and marjoram turn the broth lightly red and savory without making it a thick tomato soup. Taste the sauerkraut before adding it, then rinse it briefly if it's sharply salty; the ham has plenty of seasoning of its own. This is a good bowl for someone who likes a little sourness with smoked meat, and it doesn't need cream to soften every edge. Keep the roasted cabbage pieces broad enough to recognize when they're lifted from the broth.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz savoy cabbage core removed and leaves cut into broad 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 5 cups unsalted chicken broth
  • 8 oz sauerkraut drained and briefly rinsed if very salty
  • 12 oz fully cooked smoked ham torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 425°F. Toss savoy cabbage with 1 tablespoon oil on a sheet pan and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until tender with browned edges.
  2. Heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Cook onion for 6 to 7 minutes until softened, then add garlic, tomato paste, marjoram and paprika and stir for 1 minute.
  3. Add broth and drained sauerkraut. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook partly covered for 15 minutes.
  4. Fold in roasted cabbage, ham and pepper and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the ham reaches 165°F. Stir gently to keep the larger cabbage pieces intact.
  5. Divide among six bowls with both kinds of cabbage and pieces of ham in each portion.