Hungarian Goulash

What is Goulash?? Well for starters, it is one of the most delicious comfort food that exists. A traditional Hungarian Goulash is a soup or stew that is usually filled with tender beef and onions spiced with paprika. Many versions add other vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, peppers, and tomatoes. It dates back centuries and was originally made by shepherds drying out meat to be able to store and then adding water to create a soup or stew. Everyone seems to have their own way of making this dish and adds different veggies. Regardless, Hungarian Goulash is very different from an American Goulash Recipe which is more of a tomato, beef and macaroni dish (and also sometimes known as American Chop Suey). Goulash is seasoned with paprika and other fragrant spices like caraway seeds and sometimes even Cajun! You will almost always find red meat in a Hungarian goulash, and because it is simmered at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time, it is the perfect way to use a cheaper cut of meat and save some money!

Ingredients:
2 medium onions, diced
1 ½ cup carrots, sliced
3 cups potatoes, chopped into big bite sized chunks
2 bell peppers, chopped into 1 inch pieces
2 T butter
1 t caraway seeds
2 t paprika
¼ cup flour
1 ½ pound stew beef, trimmed and cut into 1″ cubes
2 cups beef broth, or water
1 cup diced tomatoes, canned
1 t salt
¼ t pepper
Optional: other vegetables to your liking

Instructions:
In a large pot, melt butter and add onion. Cook till translucent. Stir in caraway seeds and paprika and mix well. In a bowl, dredge the stew beef with flour. Add beef to the onion mixture and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Slowly add about ¼ cup of the beef broth to lift the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Then add remaining broth, diced tomatoes (potatoes and carrots if using), salt and pepper.
Stir and bring to a boil, cover, then reduce to a simmer for about 1½ -2 hours or until tender. During the last half hour of cooking, add the bell peppers! They will cook up nicely, and still have a slight crunch! Serve hot and enjoy as is, or with a nice crusty bread, or rolls, with butter.

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