October just started, which means cooler weather and... Oktoberfest! So, I thought this Sunday I'd hunt for a promising German soup. Enjoy!
*Pic 1 - Picture from https://thecozyapron.com/oktoberfest-stew/
My Variations from Recipe as Written: I doubled the recipe. I used 32oz of smoked sausage instead of the 28oz a double batch called for. Instead of a full head of cabbage, I used a large package of pre-shredded angel hair white cabbage I found in the produce section; this sub was GREAT because each "piece" was of a size and shape that somewhat mimicked sauerkraut, and I would highly recommend it if you try this recipe! I used whole caraway seeds instead of ground caraway (because the store did not have ground). I used garlic salt instead of plain salt.
General Thoughts: This soup was terrifically warm and hearty, filling and satisfying. The flavor was excellent, as the broth picked up the fat from the sausage, the flavor from the fragrant onions and garlic, and bulk of the cubed potatoes. I was a little worried that some in the group I served (my best friend and wife, in particular, who are usually anti-veggie) would balk at the amount of onions and cabbage in the recipe, but they turned out so tender and flavorful, Jayson and Becky loved it!
One of my favorite things about this soup was the little "edge" it got from the minor flavor ingredients: caraway, German beer, and being finished with the parsley and apple cider vinegar. It did not end up tasting like sauerkraut, so no worries on that front, but the way the flavors combined gave it just enough hints of vinegar, rye bread, and German lager that if you added an accordion and a tuba, you'd swear you were in Bavaria!
A special nod this week, too, for Becky, who made some Savory Scones with Gruyere, Prosciutto, and Green Onion (http://kitchenconfidante.com/savory-scones-with-gruyere-prosciutto-and-green-onion-recipe; seen in the my picture above) that were out of this world good and a perfect compliment to this soup.
I could go on, but I'll let what others said about the soup speak for it instead.
Polling the Fam: I know sometimes these reviews seem like hyperbole and that I rave about most of the soups I make. However, I try to review each recipe in comparison to the others, and I tend to pick soups that look yummy and like something we'd like (based on its ingredients, etc.), so it is inevitable that I like more than I dislike. With that said, this soup was DEFINITELY better than the Wonton Soup I made last week, which was also quite good and easier to make. But, this German soup is the real deal, and I'd definitely make it again. I had the pleasure of cooking for everyone else this week, too, so happy to have many opinions... Hunter said it was great and definitely one of his favorites of the whole soup project. Becky not only thought it was good, but confirmed it was definitely her favorite so far. Lisa said it was really, really good and that she enjoyed it. Andrew used adjectives fantastic and superb, and he only got to eat the leftovers, a day late, so it is (apparently) good on multiple days. :-) And, Jayson loved it and said he wanted to eat more, but he was just too full after one big bowl and several yummy scones.
Verdict: Loved it! (5 stars)
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