Slovak Sauerkraut Christmas Soup for American Palates

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 pound applewood smoked ham, diced
• 1 pound sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Difficulty Level: 2 (Easy to Medium)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the diced ham over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the sauerkraut, chicken broth, white wine (if using), honey, and caraway seeds.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 250 per serving
• Fat: 10 grams
• Protein: 20 grams
• Carbohydrates: 25 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Rich and flavorful broth
• Tartness from the sauerkraut
• Smoky flavor from the ham
• Warm and comforting

User Comments:

• "This is a delicious and unique soup that combines the flavors of Christmas and ham in a perfect way."
• "The sauerkraut adds a nice tangy touch to the soup."
• "I love the addition of caraway seeds, which gives the soup a distinctively European flavor."
• "This soup is a great way to use up leftover ham from a Christmas feast."
• "I highly recommend this soup to anyone looking for a festive and flavorful Christmas dish."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you can't find applewood smoked ham, you can use any fully cooked ham.
• If you don't have white wine, you can substitute it with apple juice or water.
• Be careful not to overcook the soup, as the sauerkraut will become mushy.