Teleća Čorba (Balkan Veal Soup)
A rich and hearty Balkan-style soup featuring tender cubes of veal and root vegetables. The broth is finished with a classic sour cream and egg yolk enrichment, giving it a comforting, velvety texture.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 35 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 349 kcal
Allergen information: may contain celery, eggs, gluten, and milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 500 gveal shoulder, cut into 2cm cubes
- 1 pcsyellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 pcscarrot, peeled and diced
- 100 gcelery root, peeled and diced
- 2 tbspvegetable oil
- 2 tbspall-purpose flour
- 1,500 mlbeef broth, or water
- 1 pcsbay leaf
- 1.5 tspsalt
- 0.5 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
enrichment
- 1 pcsegg yolk
- 3 tbspsour cream, full-fat
garnish
- 2 tbspparsley, fresh, finely chopped
- 1 pcslemon, cut into wedges, for serving(optional)
Equipment
ladle · large pot · small bowl · cutting board · knife · whisk
The method
Step by step
- 1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
About 1 min
- 2
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
About 5 min
- 3
Add the diced carrot and celery root to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
About 5 min
- 4
Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to form a light roux.
About 1 min
- 5
Add the cubed veal and stir to coat it with the vegetables and roux.
About 2 min
- 6
Pour in the beef broth, then add the bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
About 1 min
- 7
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 60 minutes, or until the veal is very tender.
About 1 hr
Cook’s note: Check the veal for tenderness; it should be easily pierced with a fork. If not, simmer for another 15 minutes.
- 8
Remove the pot from the heat and discard the bay leaf.
About 1 min
- 9
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and sour cream until perfectly smooth.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: This mixture is what gives the soup its signature creamy finish.
- 10
Temper the egg mixture by slowly ladling one or two spoonfuls of the hot soup broth into the bowl while whisking continuously. This prevents the egg from scrambling.
About 1 min
- 11
Pour the tempered egg and sour cream mixture back into the soup pot, stirring constantly.
About 1 min
- 12
Return the pot to very low heat for 1-2 minutes to allow the soup to thicken slightly. Do not let it boil.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Boiling at this stage will cause the egg to curdle and ruin the texture.
- 13
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving.
About 5 min
- 14
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, with lemon wedges on the side if desired.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 349.3kcal
- Protein
- 33.4g
- Carbs
- 16.6g
- Fat
- 17.8g
- Fibre
- 3.2g
- Sugar
- 5.5g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat until warm, being careful not to bring it to a boil.
More recipes
All recipessnack
Toast with Chocolate Spread and Banana
Toasted bread spread with chocolate and topped with banana — an indulgent but easy snack.
4 min 240 kcallunch
Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich
Peanut butter and sliced banana on whole wheat bread — simple and energising.
3 min 296 kcalsnack
Crackers with Cheddar Cheese and Olives
Crackers topped with cheddar cheese and served with olives on the side — a simple snack board.
3 min 299 kcalbreakfast
Banana Porridge
Oatmeal cooked with mashed banana stirred in — naturally sweet and creamy.
7 min 438 kcallunch
Veggie Cheese Toastie
Warm toasted sandwich filled with cheddar, tomato and a little mustard.
7 min 435 kcalsnack
Rice Cakes with Chocolate Spread
Crisp rice cakes topped with chocolate spread — a lighter take on the classic combo.
2 min 176 kcalappetizer
Classic Gilda Pintxos
These iconic Gilda pintxos are a vibrant Spanish appetizer, delivering a delightful burst of briny, spicy, and savory flavors in every bite. Named after the Rita Hayworth character for their 'salty, green, and a little spicy' profile, they are incredibly simple to assemble and showcase the quality of their few, bold ingredients.
10 min 43 kcal