Babcia Magda's Dill Pickle Soup
By Chef Max Straczek
This recipe offers comfort in a bowl and a unique twist for all pickle lovers!
5 min prep time
35 min cook time
Serves 4
Why we like it
There are countless recipes for Zupa Ogórkowa, a creamy dill pickle soup, but this is Babcia (grandma) Magda’s version, from the city of Gdynia located in northern Poland.
Babcia Magda has never written down the recipe, and it may slightly vary each time she makes it, but every bowl contains ingredients that many of us have in our refrigerator and pantry at any given time.
This soup can warm the soul, and as Babcia Magda would say, it’s also a “lekarstwo na kaca” or a trusted folk remedy cure for a hangover!!
Ingredients
Preparation Notes
Although it may take between 15-20 minutes for the potatoes to cook, we’ve prepared a short list of activities to help pass the time…
We’re not sure if Babcia Magda would approve, but once you’ve set a timer, you could read a chapter of your current book, do a crossword puzzle, hold a spontaneous kitchen dance party, pop some bubble wrap… or you could simply prepare a nice salad, perhaps with tomatoes and/or beets to go with a bowl of pickle soup!
Making the recipe
Step 1
Vegetables
- In a large pot, melt the butter, and cook the onions for 3-5 minutes, until softened.
- Add the carrot and stir occasionally, followed by the pickles, and allow to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in the potatoes, season with salt, and allow them to heat through for about 2 minutes.
Step 2
Simmer
- Pour in the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow soup to simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender, stirring occasionally.
Step 3
Thicken
- In a small bowl, combine half of the sour cream with the pickle juice.
- Add a ladle of the hot broth, and whisk in the flour, until fully hydrated.
- Pour the mixture into the pot and stir to combine. Bring the pot back up to a simmer to cook out the flour for 3 minutes, or until the soup has thickened.
Step 4
Finish
- Taste for seasoning with salt and pepper, and the optional addition of chilli flakes.
- Stir in the dill to combine, and remove from the heat.
- Divide soup into bowls, top with a dollop of sour cream, serve and enjoy!
