Spicy Sour Czech-Style Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

• 300 g fresh mushrooms
• 150 g smoked sausage
• 1 piece onion
• 3 pieces garlic cloves
• 1 piece carrot
• 3 pieces potatoes
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 liter vegetable broth
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika powder

Cooking instructions

1. Prepare ingredients — Clean and slice the mushrooms, dice the onion, garlic, carrot, and potatoes; slice the smoked sausage.
2. Sauté vegetables and sausage — In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and sausage slices. Cook until softened and fragrant.
3. Add mushrooms and spices — Stir in the sliced mushrooms, caraway seeds, paprika, and dried marjoram. Cook for about 5 minutes until mushrooms release juices.
4. Add broth and potatoes — Pour in the vegetable broth, add diced potatoes and bay leaf. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
5. Simmer until tender — Let the soup simmer for about 25-30 minutes, until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
6. Add vinegar and adjust seasoning — Stir in the white vinegar carefully to achieve the sour note. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf.
7. Serve hot — Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, optionally with rustic bread.