Certainly! Goulash is a traditional Hungarian stew that’s known for its rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Here’s a basic recipe for making delicious beef goulash:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (about 1 kg) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon marjoram (or thyme)
- 2 bell peppers, diced (red, green, or a mix)
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Sour cream, for serving
- Cooked egg noodles or crusty bread, for serving
Instructions:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the beef chunks to the pot and brown them on all sides. This helps to develop flavor in the dish.
- Sprinkle the sweet paprika, caraway seeds, ground cumin, and marjoram over the browned meat. Stir well to coat the meat evenly with the spices.
- Add the diced bell peppers and tomatoes to the pot. Mix everything together.
- Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Be cautious with the salt, as the beef broth can be salty.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the goulash simmer over low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat becomes tender. Stir occasionally and add more broth if needed to prevent sticking.
- If you want a thicker gravy, you can mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little water to form a smooth paste. Stir this mixture into the goulash and let it simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Once the meat is tender and the flavors have melded, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the goulash over cooked egg noodles or with a slice of crusty bread.
- Garnish each serving with chopped fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream.
Goulash is a flexible dish, so you can adjust the ingredients and seasonings to suit your taste. Enjoy your homemade beef goulash!
