Hungarian Goulash

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The recipe for this hearty, savory soup comes from Katalin Bánfalvi, author Carolyn Bánfalvi's mother-in-law, who lives in the village of Bõny, in northwestern Hungary. Hungarian sweet paprika confers a singularly deep, rich color and flavor.
Hungarian Goulash Photo: Andre Baranowski

4 tbsp. sunflower or canola oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
1 1⁄2 lbs. beef chuck, trimmed
   and cut into 1⁄2" cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground
   black pepper, to taste
1⁄4 cup sweet paprika
2 tsp. dried marjoram
2 tsp. caraway seeds
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, cut into 1⁄2" cubes
2 medium parsnips, cut into 1⁄2" cubes
1 1⁄2 lbs. medium new potatoes, peeled
   and cut into 1⁄2" cubes
1 tomato, cored and chopped
1 Italian frying pepper, chopped

1. Heat oil in a 5-qt. dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, stirring only once or twice, until the meat is lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in paprika, marjoram, caraway, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add carrots, parsnips, and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Simmer, covered, until the beef is nearly tender, about 40 minutes.

2. Add potatoes and cook, uncovered, until tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and peppers; cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with rye bread, if you like.

SERVES 4 – 6

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #118

Ratings & Reviews (6)

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Deep, rich flavor and very easy to make. Coming back to Saveur online to get the recipe again after misplacing the magazine article!
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I prepared this for one of my clients. It is wonderful and very authentic. It is very easy to prepare as well.
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I've never had a goulash with such intensely concentrated savory flavor. Given this recipe's relative ease and superb flavor, I think I'll be revisiting it often.
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This was my first try at Hungarian cooking and I am so glad I tried it. This recipe was easily made with readily available ingredients. It was a homey, comforting soup that I found was tasty after several days in the fridge. I will be making this again and again.
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I seared the beef first, then continued following the recipe, but I added one cup dry red wine. Everyone was licking their spoons.
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I made this for my family of six, including picky boys...not only did they love it...the neighbor boy changed his dinner plans when he smelled it...and gave up his favorite fast food tacos! I did leave out the parsnips, I wanted to skip a trip to the store!

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