It is unusual for a small country like Hungary to have such a surprisingly diverse and colorful gastronomy. Tourists from around the world with different tastes praise the culinary experience they have after visiting this gem in Central Europe. Hungarian cuisine has a long history. Throughout the centuries it has been influenced by neighboring countries, ancient Turkish cuisine and by Austrian cuisine during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire creating a unique mixture of Asiatic, Germanic and Slavic elements.
The traditional Hungarian dishes are mostly based on meat, potato, fresh bread and seasonal vegetables. The main characteristics to the dishes are given by sweet paprika powder and red onions. Steaks, meat stews and casseroles are just as important as dumplings and various kinds of noodles. The following ten recipes will bring new, delicious flavors to your home.
Cheese Puffs – Pogácsa
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, dry yeast, sugar, butter, salt, eggs, plain yogurt, shredded cheese. Full recipe at theeccentriccook.yummly.com
Cheese Spread – Körözött
Ingredients: quark/farmer’s cheese, onion, butter, caraway seeds, sweet Hungarian paprika, a splash of pálinka or beer, salt, optional: capers, parsley, anchovies, foie gras or caviar. Full recipe at tastehungary.com
Chicken Paprikash
Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breast, olive oil, garlic, yellow onion, chicken broth, paprika, sea salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, sour cream, flour, butter, milk, salt, baking powder. Full recipe at eatliverun.com
Cold Sour Cherry Soup
Ingredients: morello cherries jar, salt, ground cinnamon, lemon, sour cream. Full recipe at pinkbites.com
Green Pea Stew
Ingredients: green peas, vegetable oil, parsley, flour, milk, sugar, salt. Full recipe at spicygoulash.com
Hungarian Goulash
Ingredients: oil or lard, onions, salt, Hungarian paprika (sweet), black pepper, caraway seeds, beef, garlic, carrots, parsnip, potatoes, tomatoes, Csipetke pinched pasta (optional). Full recipe at whatieat.info
Layered Potatoes – Rakott Krumpli
Ingredients: potatoes, sour cream, eggs, Hungarian spicy sausage or chorizo style sausage, cheese, salt. Full recipe at whatieat.info
Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes
Ingredients: yellow onion, Hungarian wax peppers, tomatoes, vegetable oil, powdered red paprika, vegetable stock cube / powder, courgette / zucchini, Kolbász (Hungarian paprika-flavored dry sausage, preferably smoked) or chorizo, eggs, piros arany csemege (mild red pepper paste) or erős pista (Hungarian chili paste), salt, pepper. Full recipe at whatieat.info
Strawberry-Filled Curd Cheese Dumplings
Ingredients: dry curd or farmers cheese or ricotta, farina or semolina or grits, eggs, salt, lemon zest, strawberries, unsalted butter, bread crumbs, walnuts, sugar, confectioners’ sugar. Full recipe at whatieat.info
Stuffed Peppers – Töltött Paprika
Ingredients: bell peppers, onion, oil, rice, salt, ground pork, pepper, tomato juice, celery leaves, flour, butter, sugar. Full recipe at whatieat.info
