Sweet-and-Sour Cabbage and Bread Stew

Here’s a variation of classic sweet-and-sour cabbage soup, given a bit more heft with bread cubes nestled in each serving. Adapted from Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews for All Seasons. Photo by Ricki Heller of Diet, Dessert, and Dogs.

Serves: 6

• 3 to 4 cups cubed (about 1 inch) Italian or sourdough bread
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, quartered and thinly sliced
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic
• 5 cups water
• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 large or 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 4 cups coarsely shredded green cabbage
• 1 medium green or red bell pepper, diced
• One 16-ounce can salt-free diced or stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4  cup dry red wine
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons natural granulated sugar
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden and crisp, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onions and garlic and sauté over medium heat until golden, about 10 minutes.

Add the water, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, bell peppers, tomatoes, wine, paprika, and cumin. Bring to a rapid simmer, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer gently for 30  to 35 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the lemon juice and sugar. There should be a subtle sweet-sour balance. If you’d like it to be more pronounced, add more lemon juice and/or sugar to your liking.

Season with salt and pepper, then simmer over very low heat for 10 minutes longer. If time allows, let the stew stand off the heat for an hour or two, then heat through before serving.

When ready to serve, divide the bread cubes among the serving bowls and ladle the stew over them. The bread will absorb much of the liquid and add a tasty, textural element to the stew.

• Explore other recipes for hearty winter soups.