Azorean Sopas Recipe: Authentic Holy Spirit Soup
Master the traditional Azorean Sopas do Espírito Santo. This hearty beef and cabbage soup features rich aromatic broth and fresh mint. Perfect for a crowd.
Soup Recipes
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Command your kitchen with the definitive Azorean sopas recipe. This traditional holy spirit soup recipe delivers unparalleled depth of flavor by simmering rich beef and earthy vegetables to absolute perfection. Crafted for true food lovers this Portuguese beef cabbage soup transforms simple ingredients into a culturally rich masterpiece that perfectly satisfies your cravings and warms the soul.
Ingredients
4 lb (1.8 kg) beef chuck, cut into 3 pieces6 garlic cloves1/2 cup (80 g) coarsely chopped onion1/2 cup (30 g) chopped parsley8 cups (1.9 L) cold water1 teaspoon (2 g) pepper1 tablespoon (18 g) salt1 teaspoon (2 g) allspice1/2 teaspoon (1 g) cumin seeds2 bay leaves1 tablespoon (15 ml) wine vinegar1 head green cabbage, cored and quartered1 loaf Portuguese bread, cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) slices15 whole fresh mint leaves
Equipment:
Large stock potLadleLarge shallow serving dishChef's knifeCutting boardMeasuring cups and spoons
Directions
- Combine all of the ingredients except the water, mint, cabbage, and bread in a large stock pot.
- Now cover the ingredients with the 8 cups (1.9 L) water. Let it boil for about an hour until the meat is tender.
- Now add the cabbage to the pot.
- Let the pot simmer on medium to low heat for about half an hour until the cabbage has been cooked.
- Once the ingredients in the stock pot are done cooking, cover the bottom of large, shallow serving dish with the bread slices.
- Lay the mint leaves on top of the bread slices.
- Ladle the content from the stock pot equally on top of the bread and serve while hot.
Adapted from a Recipe by: easyportugueserecipes.com
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
Calories
420 kcal
Fat
14 g
Carbs
38 g
Protein
35 g
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Comments (31)
Gloria
When I was a little girl we would go every year to holy ghost celebration and eat soupa. What is the history of this celebration?
reply
2 Years ago, Friday, March 15, 2024
Frederick Souza
It is much too bland. When we make Holy Ghost Soup for our feast, we have potatoes and chourico which helps flavor the broth. The boiled beef and potatoes are included so that it is not just bread and broth, but a truly hearty soup. Soup shanks are a great alternative to the roast.
4 Years ago, Monday, July 4, 2022
Octavio de Almeida
Meu velho, isso nao e sopa Portuguesa mas sim sopa labrega. que se cozinhava mais na Beira Alta e Tras-dos-Montes, mas agradeco imenso a recipe so falta ai o toycinho curado a sal e um chourico. Yum Yummy for my tummy.
4 Years ago, Monday, June 27, 2022
Sue
I made this last week, adding a cinnamon stick. It was so good and reminded me of what was served in the SES Halls in my younger days! Thank you!
4 Years ago, Sunday, June 12, 2022
Lorraine Magee
When I was going up in Westport Mass. We went to holy ghost . I was in the parade we had soup as but it was just broth poured over mint and bread. Loved it wish I had some now
4 Years ago, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Gail Velasquez
Thank you and bless you for posting this recipe
4 Years ago, Wednesday, May 4, 2022
McKenzie
YUM! Cabbage- you do it right. Can't wait to try!
5 Years ago, Friday, December 17, 2021
Olivia Gray
Never had it with cabbage but with Kale. Is it a Reginald thing?
5 Years ago, Friday, December 10, 2021
Tuga Pops
Olivia, some people use collard greens, some kale and some cabbage, it's an ingredient you can use according to your taste.
5 Years ago, Friday, December 10, 2021
Clinton Fernandez
Can you use ground cumin instead of seeds in this recipe?
5 Years ago, Friday, December 10, 2021
Tuga Pops
Yes Clinton, but use 1/4 teaspoon instead of you are using ground cumin.
5 Years ago, Friday, December 10, 2021
Kim Carvalho
This is exactly our recipe except we didn't add cabbage. Meat was served on a platter to be added as desired or eaten separately. Thank you so much for posting! I've been looking for our family's version (no wine) and this is it!
5 Years ago, Friday, December 3, 2021
Valerie Costa Williams
Yes, finally a recipe with NO tomato! I will be making this next week. Let you know!
5 Years ago, Thursday, November 18, 2021
Jeff
When heling at the festa i seem to remember tomato paste?
5 Years ago, Sunday, July 18, 2021
Tuga Pops
Not in this soup Jeff, unless it's a regional thing. 🙂
5 Years ago, Monday, July 19, 2021
Fred Souza
There seems to be some missing information here as there is no information about what to do with the meat, and most of the time this soup includes whole potatoes and chourico.
5 Years ago, Saturday, July 17, 2021
Tuga Pops
Fred, step 1 is for the meat as well and I have never seen chouriço or potatoes added to this soup, you might be thinking of another soup.
5 Years ago, Saturday, July 17, 2021
Jody Salmon
I grow mint just for Sopas! Our recipe is slightly different than yours, we use good Portuguese red wine instead of wine vinegar and there is no cabbage in ours. We cook the sopas using the recipe that was cooked at the Holy Ghost Feast where I grew up and now we cook and serve it at all our family reunions!
5 Years ago, Thursday, July 15, 2021