Pickled Gherkin Soup - Rassolnik
Rassolnik is a classic Eastern European soup built around tangy pickled gherkins, tender chicken hearts, pearl barley and a rich tomato broth. The Thermomix TM7 chops the gherkins and vegetables in seconds and simmers the soup hands-free, developing the distinctive sour-savoury flavour this Russian favourite is known for. Finished with a swirl of sour cream, it makes a warming main course soup.
About this recipe
Rassolnik Thermomix TM7 brings the beloved Russian pickled gherkin soup straight into your kitchen with an all-in-one kitchen machine doing the heavy lifting. This traditional soup, prized across Eastern Europe for its signature sour note, pairs briny pickled gherkins with tender chicken hearts, earthy pearl barley, carrots and onions in a golden chicken broth enriched with tomato purée. Searching for authentic Russian soup recipes often leads to hours of stovetop stirring, but the TM7 handles the chopping and gentle simmering automatically, so the barley turns soft and the broth stays clear. Serve it with a spoonful of sour cream for a warming main course soup that is ideal for meal prep, as the flavour deepens beautifully the next day. A true cold-weather comfort for adventurous weeknight dinners.
Preparation tips
- Rinse the pearl barley under cold water before adding it to the mixing bowl; this removes excess starch and keeps the rassolnik broth clear rather than cloudy while the grains cook to a tender bite.
- Add the chopped pickled gherkins only towards the end of cooking, after the barley is nearly soft. This preserves their bright briny tang, which fades if they simmer too long in the chicken broth.
- This soup tastes even better the next day, so store portions in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently and stir in the sour cream just before serving so it does not split.
Recipe variations
- Vegetarian rassolnik: replace the chicken hearts with diced potatoes and mushrooms, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken. The pickled gherkins and barley still deliver the classic sour, chewy character.
- Festive version: add a handful of prawns or shredded duck for a celebration twist, finish with dill and lemon zest, and serve with dark rye bread for an authentic Russian holiday table.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- The Thermomix chops the pickled gherkins uniformly in seconds, giving the rassolnik a consistent tangy bite throughout every spoonful. [Multi-Function]
- Heating the chicken broth at a steady low temperature, the TM7 gently simmers the pearl barley until tender without any scorching on the bowl base. [Temperature Control]
- Weigh the pearl barley and tomato purée directly in the mixing bowl on the built-in scale, saving you from extra measuring cups and washing up. [Built-in Scale]
- Mixing the sour cream into the finished soup, the Thermomix blends it into a velvety, slightly tangy finish in just a few seconds of hands-free work. [Hands-Free]
- Grating the carrots finely with the TM7 means the vegetables melt into the broth, releasing their sweetness faster than hand-grated pieces. [Time Savings]
Ingredients
- pickled gherkins
- carrots
- onions
- vegetable oil
- tomato purée
- chicken hearts
- pearl barley
- chicken broth
- fine sea salt
- floury potatoes