Steam curls up from the bowl as the cabbage gives way at the touch of your spoon,
soft but still holding its shape. The smoked sausage has done its quiet work,
turning the clear chicken broth into something deeper, richer,
edged with a hint of smoke. Tomatoes float in bright red pieces,
clinging to everything they touch, tying the flavors together without demanding attention.
You ladle the stew into wide bowls, maybe adding a cool spoonful of sour cream that slowly
ribbons across the surface. Crusty bread waits at the side, ready to catch every last drop.
It’s the kind of meal that asks for very little,
then gives back more than you expect: warmth on
a cold evening, comfort after a long day, and the small,
steady pleasure of something simple done exactly right.
