Game Soup

A rich, hearty soup made with game meat, smoked bacon, mushrooms, and vegetables. Slow-simmered with cream and spices, it was a festive dish prepared on special occasions.

Cultural note: Game soup was a festive dish, usually cooked when hunters brought home fresh meat. Its rich flavor came from combining game with smoked bacon and seasonal mushrooms.

Skill level

Portion

6

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Meal

Ingredients

  • 2 l water (or meat broth)
  • 500 g game meat (cut into pieces)
  • 100 g smoked bacon
  • 100 g fresh porcini mushrooms (or other mushrooms)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1 small slice celery root
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 200 ml sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)

Procedure

100 min

  1. Dice the smoked bacon and sauté in a large pot until it releases fat. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden.
  2. Add diced carrot and celery, then stir in the game meat pieces. Sauté until lightly browned.
  3. Pour in 2 liters of water (or broth). Add bay leaf, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Simmer until the meat is tender (about 1–1.5 hours).
  4. In a small bowl, mix sour cream with flour to make a smooth paste. Slowly stir into the soup, mixing well.
  5. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for another 10–15 minutes.
  6. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar for balance.
  7. Serve hot with bread or dumplings.