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Stuffed Pepper Soup (Ciorbă de Ardei)

This traditional and hearty Romanian soup is made with stuffed peppers, pork or beef, and vegetables, creating a comforting and flavorful meal. The soup is perfect for any season, especially when served with a dollop of sour cream and a bit of hot pepper for an extra kick.

Ingredients
  • 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
  • 1 medium-sized carrot, grated
  • 1 celery stalk (green or root celery), finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons of oil (for cooking)
  • Small-sized bell peppers (about 10-12) – or regular-sized peppers if needed
  • 250 grams minced pork or beef
  • 2 tablespoons of rice
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons of water
  • Green thyme, to taste (or any herb you prefer)
  • 3 tablespoons of flour (for dusting the peppers)
  • 3 liters of water (depending on how much soup you want)
  • 400 grams tomatoes in their own juice (or fresh tomatoes if available)
  • Borscht (optional, for sourness)
Instructions
  1. Prepare the Vegetables
    1. Finely chop the onions.
    2. Grate the carrot.
    3. Finely chop the celery.
  2. Cook the Vegetables
    1. In a pan, heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil over medium heat.
    2. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook for about 1-2 minutes until softened.
  3. Prepare the Stuffing
    1. Take small bell peppers and cut off the tops. Remove the seeds.
    2. In a bowl, mix the minced meat (pork or beef) with rice, a bit of salt, and 2 teaspoons of water.
    3. Add a quarter of the cooked vegetables to the minced meat mixture and season with pepper and green thyme.
    4. Stuff the peppers with the mixture, making sure not to overfill them so they don’t burst when boiled.
    5. Dust the stuffed peppers with flour on all sides to prevent the filling from falling out.
  4. Cook the Soup
    1. In a large pot, add the cooked vegetables and cover them with 2-3 liters of water (adjust based on how much soup you want).
    2. Place the stuffed peppers in the pot and bring everything to a boil.
    3. Add 400g of tomatoes in their juice (or fresh tomatoes, chopped).
    4. Season with salt to taste and let the soup cook for about 30-40 minutes until the peppers are tender.
  5. Add Optional Ingredients
    1. If you prefer a tangy flavor, add borscht to the soup, stirring well.
    2. Once the soup is ready, remove it from the heat.
Read it online: https://yummy.expert/recipe/stuffed-pepper-soup-ciorba-de-ardei/