Solyanki

Solyanki are thick spicy soups which combine the main feature of both shchi (cabbage, sour cream) and rassolniki (pickled cucumbers and brine), with a still more intense sour-salty base due to the addition of olives, capers, tomatoes, lemons, kvass and salted or pickled mushrooms. Sometimes vinegar is also added but this coarsens the flavour. There are three types of solyanki: meat, fish or plain (containing mushrooms).

Solyanki are very thick soups, about a third less liquid than other types of soup; the liquid is concentrated and sharp. The bulk and liquid parts are cooked entirely separately and are combined only a few minutes before serving.