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Russian Lenten Pokhlebka/ Soup

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I made Russian Lenten Pokhlebka/Soup to enjoy with the braided rye bread. It is one of traditional soup. I read that this Russian soup is light in taste and used mainly as appetizers; not dense to lose the appetite of main dish. It is a clear broth cooked only with water and vegetables. I also read that main ingredients in this soup are potatoes, onions turnips and some lentils. This soup contains only soft veggies that do not have long boiling but is known for their characteristic aromas. It should not be over cooked, and no fats or oils are used; only spicy herbs like parsley, dill, celery as well as garlic is used. It tastes great with freshly baked rye bread. Adding any extras like cream, butter will spoil the taste of Pokhelbka.
After reading all these wonderful things about Pokhlebka, I thought I need to try it immediately, further more I had baked a fresh rye bread. I followed these two recipes link is here and here. I tweaked recipe as I had only dried parsley in my hand, no dill and not fond of having garlic in my soup. I feel frying onions, cabbage and carrot is must to get nice aroma and taste. I spiced the soup with black pepper and Marjoram. 
With lot of expectation I made the soup. Taste wise it is okay somewhat bland, even with my hubby’s Tabasco technique (He adds Tabasco to soup, noodles or some time soy sauce) it taste same. Soy sauce addition is out of question as it is not Chinese soup it is Russian soup we want the original taste.
I don’t think this soup is not going to be on our menu any way. I think if we add some more lemon juice or some more spices it may taste better. If you have any suggestions you are welcome. I will check with my Russian friend’s mom also and let you know to how to improve the taste. Here goes the recipe.

What you need


Pearl Barely: ⅓ cup
Potato: ¾ cup (chopped into cubes)
Cabbage: 1 ½ cup (finely chopped)
Carrot: 1 cup (grated)
Onion: 1 cup (finely chopped)
Parsley: ½ teaspoon (I used dried one)
Salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
Marjoram: ½ teaspoon
Oil : 2 tablespoon
Water: 5 cup
Lime juice: ½ teaspoon

How I made

In a medium sauce pot cook the washed pearl barely with 2 cup water and ½ teaspoon of salt until it cooked about 75 % it took me 20 minutes. Drain some water so that soup won't be cloudy.
To this add chopped potato and cook for another 15 minutes or until potato is done not mushy.
In the mean time heat a pan add oil and fry onion until they become translucent or change in color it took me about 7 minutes. To this add grated carrots and cabbage and fry for another 6 minutes.
Add this fried onion-cabbage-carrots mixture to the soup and add rest of water, salt and pepper and cook for another 10 minutes. To this add dried parsley, marjoram and lime juice.  switch off the flame.
Enjoy warm with rye bread. Finish it in same day; this soup is not good for reheating.

Preparation time: 55 minutes
Yield: 4 serving
Verdict: Taste okay, bland
Will you make it again: I don’t think so.

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  1. Apoorva Sai says

    Thanks for giving this soup recipe is a more health benefits and looking really good. Here number of different varieties of Soup recipes and everyone like this recipe and very simple to make.

    Reply

  2. Jaisy James says

    wow nice soup. will try definetly

    Reply

  3. Umm Mymoonah says

    Hmmm,that's different soup,looks lovely and the braided bread looks awesome.
    Lovely blog. Happy to follow you.

    Reply

  4. Viki's Kitchen says

    Never knew any Russian recipe before. Thanks. Soup looks very delicious dear.

    Reply

  5. Swathi says

    Thadku,
    Ungalku second photo parthal(ennudiya spice and veggieye parthal) operation theater njapakam varathu allava .Romba lollu thanappa.

    Reply

  6. Panchpakwan says

    Looks so helathy soup!!

    Reply

  7. தக்குடுபாண்டி says

    in that second photo, operation theater display maathiri yevloo alaka display panniirukkelpa, nice one!

    Reply

  8. Parita says

    Looks yummy and healthy!

    Reply

  9. Aruna Manikandan says

    Soup sounds interesting and healthy too 🙂

    Reply

  10. rv says

    love those healthy ingredients that has gone in to this soup.. I think little more pepper and a hint of hot sauce will give a kick to this soup and get rid of that bland taste. Thanks for sending it to the event.

    Reply

  11. Niloufer Riyaz says

    delicious soup, perfectr with breads

    Reply

  12. Sarah Naveen says

    Soup looks so Appetizing and yummy..loved it

    Reply

  13. RAKS KITCHEN says

    Its new to me,sounds so filling!

    Reply

  14. Subhie Arun says

    healthy n delicious souppppppppp

    Reply

  15. Sushma Mallya says

    quiet a different soup from what i have heard or tried, but lovely & seems delicious...thanks for sharing it swathi

    Reply

  16. SathyaSridhar says

    Wooow Swathi,,very nice healthy soup dear barley i like barley kanji ,,never tried soup in that..sure i will try ur version of barley soup.

    Reply

  17. Pari says

    Barley is a good diuretic a very healthy and wholesome soup.

    Reply

  18. Life is beautiful!!! says

    Swathi, I think we have to make changes to suit our taste buds. The looks of it is soooo good and sometimes bland food is a must for me bcoz I need a change from the routine spicy dishes. This must be a gr8 food for young children and people suffering from fever or digestive problems. Good attempt Swathi 🙂

    Reply

  19. Kiran says

    Swathi it sure is a very healthy and delicious looking soup.Must have surely been a great combo to the braided rye bread.

    Reply

  20. Hamaree Rasoi says

    Healthy and delicious soup

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

    Reply

  21. divya says

    Healthy and very colorful dish....delicious.....

    Reply

  22. Premalatha Aravindhan says

    Delicious soup.Gr8 effort of trying the russian foods nice!wounderful presentation .

    Reply

  23. GayathriRaj says

    Hey trying Russian recipes too...wow thats so gr8 of u i feel....great attempt...soups are too good i feel...thanku so much for sharing...

    Reply

  24. Rachana Kothari says

    Healthy and flavourful Soup!

    Reply

  25. Cool Lassi(e) says

    Well..sometimes bland is good too. It doesn't make one get heartburn and such.. Looks good to me. You should probably give it another go before giving up!

    Reply

  26. Sook says

    I am definitely craving a bowl of warm soup like this today. Yum!

    Reply

  27. Vrinda says

    New name n new soup to me...sounds yummm

    Reply

  28. kamala says

    Soup looks nice those floating pearl barely in the soup so tempting.

    Reply

  29. Nithu Bala says

    Delicious, healthy and filling soup..loved the click Dear..

    Reply

  30. Jay says

    Hy Swathi,
    Soup sounds yummy! I am going to delight my hubby. Thanks dear.

    Reply

  31. Priya says

    Super delicious soup, looks filling and healthy Swathi..

    Reply

  32. Asha says

    I can see the Barley in there, so yummy. Great with braided bread slices as you said.

    Reply

  33. Preeti Kashyap says

    Bookmarked! Will try it soon...

    Reply

  34. PranisKitchen says

    looks so deliicous..russian soup looks so healthy and sure it will be nice combo with the bread..

    Reply

  35. SpicyTasty says

    This is surely a healthy recipe. Soup looks very inviting.It's always a comforting food.

    Reply

  36. Gulmohar says

    delicious soup..healthy and so full of flavors

    Reply

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