Солянка Постная — Fasting Solyanka

Solyanka is the soup that proves fasting food can be bold, complex, and deeply savory all at once.
This version builds layers of sour-salty-spicy flavor from pickles, olives, capers, and tomato,
creating a broth so rich you will not believe there is no meat in the pot.

FASTING LEVEL: Fast With Oil (for strict oil-free days, sweat the vegetables in mushroom broth instead of oil)

SERVINGS: 6
TIME: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 300 g mixed fresh mushrooms (cremini, king oyster, shiitake), sliced thick
- 4 brined pickled cucumbers, diced
- 150 ml pickle brine
- 80 g pitted kalamata or green olives, halved
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1.5 litres mushroom broth or water
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
- Fresh dill, for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste

METHOD:
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook without stirring for 4 minutes, then stir and brown for another 4 minutes until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add onion and carrots. Cook for 6 minutes until softened.
3. Add tomato paste and smoked paprika, stir for 1 minute until fragrant and darkened.
4. Add diced pickles, olives, and capers. Cook 3 minutes, stirring.
5. Pour in broth and pickle brine. Add bay leaves and browned mushrooms. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2 more minutes. Remove bay leaves.
7. Serve each bowl with a thin lemon slice floating on top and a generous shower of dill.

NOTES:
- The lemon slice in each bowl is traditional and essential — it brightens every spoonful.
- Use a mix of mushroom varieties for the best texture and depth.
- Capers are the secret weapon here. Do not skip them.
- This soup tastes even better reheated the next day.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 145 | Protein: 6 g | Carbohydrates: 14 g | Fat: 9 g | Fibre: 4 g