Russian hodgepodge soup

Ingredients

• 800 g Sausages, smoked, cut into chunks
• 500 g Potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 200 g Onion, cut into half moons
• 200 g Carrots, grated
• 200 g Pickles, chopped
• 100 g Black olives, pitted, whole
• 800 ml Water
• 500 ml Homemade chicken stock
• 200 ml Tomato sauce
• 3 pcs Tomatoes, chopped
• 2 pcs Celery stalk, slices thinly
• 1 clove Garlic, peeled, mashed
• 2 pcs Bay leaf, dried
• 1/2 pcs Lemon, cut into thin slices
• 1 1/2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Basil, dried, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt, fresh ground
• 1 tsp Pepper, fresh ground
• 1/2 tsp Cane sugar

Method

1. Place the potatoes into the cold water and boil it about 30 minutes, over medium-high heat.
2. Grate the carrots, slice celery, then chop the tomatoes and onions into half rings.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan, over medium-high heat then fry the vegetables, for 5 minutes.
4. Thinly slice the sausages and cook with vegetables for 4 minutes.
5. Chop the pickles and place into the boiling water. Add tomato sauce, mashed garlic, and chicken stock; stir well.
6. Add sausages and fried veggies, then boil the soup for the next 5-10 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
7. Add lemon slices, sugar, basil, and black olives; cook for 2 minutes more and serve while still hot.