Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup

Recipe View **Day 1: Preparing the Beef Stock:** Combine beef shanks and water in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a very low simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface using a fine-mesh strainer. Add carrot pieces, whole onions, celery stalks, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Simmer gently for 4 hours, skimming occasionally. (Time: 4 hours)

Recipe View Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the cooked vegetables. Reserve the beef shank. Allow the stock to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a covered container and refrigerate overnight. Once the beef shanks are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and any gristle. Dice the meat and any remaining marrow into small, bite-sized cubes. Cover and refrigerate separately overnight.

Recipe View **Day 2: Building the Soup:** Heat vegetable oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. (Time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Stir in the sweet Hungarian paprika and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. (Time: 1 minute)

Recipe View Gradually add the coarsely chopped Savoy cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until it slightly wilts and reduces in bulk. (Time: 8 minutes)

Recipe View Remove the beef stock from the refrigerator; skim off and discard any solidified fat from the surface. Pour the stock into the pot with the cabbage mixture. Add the reserved chopped beef and diced tomatoes with their juice. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Recipe View Cook the soup, partially covered, until the cabbage is very tender and the flavors have melded together. (Time: 1 hour)

Recipe View Stir in lemon juice, sugar, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Add more water, if desired, to achieve a thinner consistency. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, uncovered, to allow the flavors to meld. (Time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed before serving. A touch more lemon juice or sugar can brighten the flavor, while additional salt and pepper will enhance the savory notes.