You know, it is not that easy to find good goulash (gulyás) even here, in Budapest. We tried here and there before found the right one. And do you want to know what the right goulash is? The one made outdoors on the open fire, as only then it gets the special smoky flavour. To make such goulash you will need time, firewood, a large pot, certain ingredients and bunch of helpers to clean, cut, wash, stir and eat this yummy mix of meat and vegetables.
Here are the ingredients (4 serves):
2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup oil, light flavored olive or sunflower-seed
4 tbsp. butter
4-6 cups water
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 medium onion, sliced thin
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup fresh green peppers, chopped fine
2 tbsp. flour
1/4 cup paprika
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. fresh marjoram or 2 tsp. dried
1/5 cup dry red wine
4-5 potatoes
2-3 tomatoes
Preparation:
Pre-heat a pot, pour oil, add butter and place meat in it. Brown the meat. Add water, onions, green peppers, garlic and 2 tbsp. flour and cook for about 2 hours, removing the scum and adding water if needed. Then add paprika, potatoes and the remaining ingredients. The wine comes last. Cover the pot and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Don’t forget to stir the mix from time to time. In the end you should get something between soup and stew.
Serve in soup plates and eat with white bread. We recommend drinking dry red wine with goulash, but beer is also good.
P.S. Oh, and don’t forget to add here your comments about your Authentic Goulash Party.