TRADITIONAL TRANSYLVANIAN POTATO SOUP WITH SMOKED SAUSAGE — A HEARTY, AROMATIC CLASSIC
After a vegetarian attempt, we quickly realized the true magic of potato soup lies in the smoky aroma. This “Ardeleneasca” (Transylvanian-style) version combines tender potatoes with smoked sausage, a touch of lovage, and a flavorful paprika roux to create a comforting, deeply satisfying meal perfect for chilly days.
🕒 Prep Time: 15 min
🍳 Cook Time: 40 min
🍽️ Yields: About 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 kg potatoes, peeled and diced
- 100 g smoked sausage (or kaizer or other smoked meat), sliced
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 sprigs fresh lovage
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 100 ml tomato paste (bulion)
- 300 g sour cream
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
1. Prepare Soup Base
- In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
- Lightly fry the smoked sausage slices for about 2 minutes.
- Add diced potatoes, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Cover with 2 liters of water.
- Add whole lovage leaves to the pot (un-chopped).
- Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are about 90% cooked.
2. Make the Roux (Rantas)
- In a small saucepan, heat oil and sauté the chopped onion until soft.
- Stir in flour and cook briefly to remove raw taste.
- Add tomato paste, stirring well, then add 1 ladle of hot soup broth to loosen the mixture.
3. Incorporate Roux into Soup
- Place a fine mesh strainer over the soup pot.
- Pour the roux mixture into the strainer and submerge it slightly into the soup.
- Stir with a wooden spoon, pressing roux through into the soup.
- Discard any leftover onion solids in the strainer.
4. Final Cooking
- Continue simmering the soup until potatoes are fully tender.
5. Add Sour Cream
- In a bowl, whisk sour cream with 3 ladles of hot soup broth to temper.
- Reduce soup heat to low, ensuring it does not boil.
- Slowly stir the tempered sour cream into the soup, mixing constantly.
- Simmer gently for a few minutes.
- Adjust salt to taste.
6. Finish and Serve
- Turn off heat, cover pot, and let soup cool slightly.
- Remove lovage leaves before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
💡 Tips
- Whole lovage leaves infuse subtle herbal flavor—remove before serving to avoid tough bits.
- Temper sour cream carefully to prevent curdling in hot soup.
- Use quality smoked sausage or kaizer for authentic smoky depth.
- Paprika roux enriches soup body and color beautifully.
🎉 Perfect For
- Classic Romanian and Transylvanian meals
- Family dinners and hearty lunches
- Cozy comfort food on cold days
- Showcasing traditional herb flavors
📝 Final Thoughts
This Transylvanian-style potato soup with smoked sausage brings together smoky richness, tender potatoes, and aromatic lovage for a satisfying bowl of comfort. Its creamy, hearty texture and balanced flavors make it a beloved staple for any home cook.