#30 Hungary's Goulash

Goulash is one of the national dishes and the symbol of Hungary. Part soup, part stew, the meat is unbelievably tender. We devoured the meat, it was THAT good! Gulyas it is called in Hungary,  originates from the word Gulyas, meaning 'herdsmen'. It is a soup made of meat (beef, pork, lamb or veal), noodles, hungarian (sweet) paprika, vegetables and other seasonings. Very popular in many countries in Europe. And now it is very popular in my home.

GOULASH

Ingredients:

5 slices bacon, chopped

3 pounds boneless chuck, trimmed  and cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 medium onions( about 1 1/2 pounds), chopped fine

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons paprika (preferably Hungarian Sweet)

1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds

1/3 cup all purpose-flour

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup tomato paste

5 cups beef broth

5 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 red bell peppers, chopped fine

4 large russet (baking) potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)

Directions:

1. In an 8-quart heavy kettle, cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. 
2. In the fat remaining in kettle, brown chuck in small batches over high heat, transferring it as browned with a slotted spoon to bowl.
3. Reduce heat to moderate and add oil. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden.
4. Stir in paprika, caraway seeds, and flour and cook, whisking, 1 minute. (Mixture will be very thick as shown in the photo above).
5. Stir in broth, water, salt, bell peppers, bacon and chuck and bring to a boil, stirring. Simmer soup, covered, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes.
6. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Add potatoes to soup and simmer, covered, occasionally until tender, about 30 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper. Soup may be made 3 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, before chilling, covered. Reheat soup, thinning with water if desired.

 

I used Turkey Bacon instead.

 

Meat is browned.

 

She learned about Hungary, it's capital Budapest, and she said "It's such a beautiful country, Mommy". We spent most of our learning time reading about the castles.  It has about a hundred of castles and ruins of castles all over the country! Read more here 

Recipe adapted from the Gourmet, December 1994