Littlemafia's Romanian Sour Soup Ciorba

Experience the comforting tang and bold flavors of Littlemafia's Romanian Sour Soup, or Ciorbă, a traditional dish that brings a taste of Eastern Europe to your table. This hearty soup features tender bites of pork shoulder paired with a medley of root vegetables like carrots, parsnip, and potatoes, all simmered in a rich, savory broth. The secret to its signature zing lies in borș, a tangy fermented wheat bran liquid, which balances the flavors beautifully. Fresh parsley and lovage (or celery leaves) add a fragrant finishing touch, making every spoonful bursting with freshness. Ready in just over an hour, this classic Romanian recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner, best served hot with crusty bread or a dollop of sour cream for added indulgence. Whether you're exploring Romanian cuisine for the first time or revisiting a beloved favorite, this ciorbă is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams boneless pork shoulder
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 medium parsnip
• 1 large celery stalk
• 1 large onion
• 2 medium potatoes
• 2 large tomatoes
• 250 milliliters borș (fermented wheat bran liquid)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh lovage (or substitute celery leaves)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 liters water

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the ingredients by dicing the pork into bite-sized pieces and chopping all the vegetables (carrots, parsnip, celery, onion, and potatoes) into small cubes.

Step 2

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced pork and sauté until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

3. Add the chopped onion and cook for another 3 minutes until softened.

Step 4

4. Pour in the water and bring it to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.

Step 5

5. Once the water is clear, reduce the heat to low and add the carrots, parsnip, celery, and potatoes. Let them simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes or until the meat and vegetables are tender.

Step 6

6. While the soup simmers, peel and dice the tomatoes. Add the tomatoes to the pot and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Step 7

7. Pour in the borș and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust the tanginess by adding more borș if needed.

Step 8

8. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 9

9. Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the freshly chopped parsley and lovage.

Step 10

10. Let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3529.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2167.0

Total Fat 128.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 17.2g
Cholesterol 400mg	0%
Sodium 2990.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 157.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.2g	0%
Total Sugars 35.5g
Protein 109.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 409.8mg	0%
Iron 13.2mg	0%
Potassium 5695.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.1%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 28.3%