Dutch Carnavalssoep (Carnival Soup)

Dutch Carnavalssoep (Carnival Soup)

This hearty soup is often eaten during carnival time: Carnival soup, also called Old women soup, Truuje soup, or Alde Wieven soup. And the name of the soup already betrays its Limburger origin. Now you may think "old wives soup" what a particular name, but this is because everything in this soup is cooked so long that it is soft. And therefore suitable for the elderly without teeth.

The carnival soup is filled with smoked sausage, white beans in tomato sauce, meatballs, and vegetables combined into a tasty tomato soup. And that makes this soup a good bottom in the stomach before you go to Carnival. So put this large pot of soup on the fire, serve it with a delicious sandwich, and plunge into the polonaise!

What do you need for Limburgse Truujesoep?

To prepare this Dutch Carnavalssoep (Carnival Soup), you need the following ingredients. You can find the correct amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog:

• Ground beef - has a lot of flavors and goes well in this soup. But you can also opt for half beef/half pork, chicken, or minced lamb.
• Onion and garlic - Seasonings in the soup
• Kielbasa - (or Polish sausage) originated in Poland. It comes in a dozen varieties, but this one is made with pork and smoked. In the Netherlands, we've got our own variety called Rookworst, which is not very well available in America.
• Celery, sun-dried tomatoes, and leek - Vegetables that provide a healthy filling to the soup.
• White beans in tomato sauce - White beans in a sweet, somewhat thicker tomato sauce, also known as baked beans.
• Tomato Juice - Juice obtained from tomatoes. Salt is often added, so it is essential to taste the soup before you season it further.
• Brown Sugar - To sweeten the soup. It has just a bit more depth in flavor compared to white sugar.
• Sweet Chili Sauce - Is a slightly spicy bright orange sweet and sour sauce. Made from chili pepper, sugar, vinegar, and other seasonings.
• Kecap Manis -  (an Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce) is used in this recipe. If you don't have Kecap Manis at home, but you do have light soy sauce, low sodium soy sauce, or dark soy sauce? Then add two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of extra brown sugar to the soy sauce.
• Stock cubes - This recipe uses two beef stock cubes and three . You could replace the Maggi cubes with salt or liquid Maggi.

How to prepare Dutch Carnival Tomato Soup

You can find a printable recipe with a detailed description at the bottom of this blog.

1. Add oil to the pan and fry the onion for 3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and stir-fry for half a minute. Then put leek and celery into the pan and cook, stirring everything, for 3 minutes over medium heat.
2. Pour the tomato juice and water into the pan. Also, add the chili sauce, sugar, and sweet soy sauce.
3. Spoon the white beans in tomato sauce and sun-dried tomatoes into the pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, roll meatballs from the ground beef and cut the smoked sausage into slices. Add it to the soup and stir well. Simmer for another 15 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

This is delicious with garlic bread, a Dutch worstenbroodje, or saucijzenbroodje. But a cheese sandwich will certainly go well with this.
Garnish with some fresh, thinly sliced leek and parsley.