Gulyas (Hungary)

"Gulyas" means cattle- or sheep-herder in Hungarian. This hearty soup has traditional roots in the foods prepared by rustic herders, long ago. Serve the soup in bowls topped with sour cream.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean boneless stewing beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 3 cups beef stock or broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seed
• 1/2 teaspoon crumbled dry marjoram
• Salt and pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes, broken up
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 red (or green) bell peppers, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons water
• Csipetka, if desired
• Sour cream

Instructions

1. Wipe beef with damp cloth; cut into 1 inch cubes. Place oil in Dutch oven. Add beef; brown well on all sides. Remove from pan with slotted spoon; set aside.
2. Add onions and garlic to pan; cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add paprika, cayenne, stock, the 2 cups water, caraway, marjoram, salt, pepper and meat. Stir well. Bring to boil over moderate heat. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, for 45 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and peppers. Stir well; return to boil. Cover; cook for 30 minutes.
4. Combine flour and the 2 tablespoons water; stir to form smooth paste. Add slowly to soup, stirring well. Cook over low heat, stirring until thickened. Drop Csipetke (noodle/dumplings) into soup before serving, if desired.