Simple Hungarian Cherry Soup Recipe

Cherry Soup...what?

Yes, this is reaction I first had years ago when Tim told me he was going to make me a classic Hungarian soup. We share Hungarian roots and enjoy exploring the culinary heritage in our daily lives when possible. The tastes may sound unappealing when thinking of a traditional soup, but I hope you'll take me at my word when I say this is a recipe you'll be happy you took a chance on.

Cherry and other fruit soups are found on nearly every menu in Hungarian eateries and can be served hot or cold as an appetizer or main dish depending on your likes. Personally, I like to eat a serving hot when fresh from the pot, then try a colder version the next day at lunch when the soup has thickened.

So from one family to another, here's our recipe for cherry soup:

Ingredients:

• 3 24oz jars sour cherry compote, juice reserved to make 1 quart. If juice does not fill 1 quart, add cold water to make the quart.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 egg yolks, beaten lightly
• 1 cup dairy sour cream
  

Process:

• Bring quart of reserved juice to a boil.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour and cold water, mixture should be smooth.
• Once juice boils add cherries, salt, and sugar. Cook 1-2 minutes.
• While stirring, add flour mixture to soup. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes.
• Add 1/3 cup of soup liquid to bowl with beaten egg yolks. Add slowly and stir vigorously as not to cook the eggs. You want a smooth blended mixture.
• Pour blended egg mixture back into main soup pot slowly and stirring as you pour.
• Cook over low heat 3-5 minutes stirring constantly.
• Remove soup from heat.
• Again add 1/3 cup of soup liquid to bowl of sour cream to create a smooth blended mixture.
• Pour blended cream mixture back into main soup pot.
• Once combined, soup is ready to be served.

Tips: Pitted sour cherry compote can be difficult to find, but it's important to use these variety of cherries. I've had luck finding them at Fairway in Brooklyn and Wholefoods in other locations. If you want go super traditional, you can order the jars directly from Bende, a Hungarian imports website (we've done this and ordering works great). Also important to keep in mind: learn from my mistakes and wear an apron while making this soup from the time you open the jar lids through the finish unless you fancy the idea of red stained clothing!