Hungarian

Hungarian recipe posts on this blog describe dishes closely associated with Hungarian cuisine or that we know originated in Hungary.

dobostorta

Hungarian Dobostorta (Dobos torte)

Hungarian Dobostorta (Dobos torte) is a spectacular layer cake combining delicate sponge cake, buttercream frosting and a caramel topping. Eastern European cuisine is characterized by hearty, simple dishes–“peasant food” one might say. Lots of stewed meats, fermented foods and root vegetables populate the pages of this blog. Yet there are a few notable exceptions (beef stroganoff being one of them) where the dish was created intentionally and meant to be something “extra,” something elite or upscale. Chef József Dobos created the impressive dessert in 1885 for a national exhibition in Budapest, serving it first to the Emperor and Empress of Hungary. If Hungary has a national cake, this is it.

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gulyás

Gulyás – Hungarian meat goulash

Ask someone to name a Hungarian food and they will probably say, “goulash.”  Gulyás – Hungarian meat goulash – is considered by many to be the national dish of Hungary. It is a chunky soup or stew of tender meat and vegetables heavily seasoned with paprika and other spices.  Gulyás began as food prepared by shepherds and herdsmen as far back as the 9th century (gulyás means “herdsman” or “cowboy”).  Only after the nationalist movements of the 19th century did gulyás gain popularity as a quintessential Hungarian dish.  Before that it was considered peasant food (as I suspect many of the dishes on Feastern Europe were).  Paprika made its appearance in gulyás with the ascendance of that spice in the 18th century when black pepper was very scarce and very expensive.

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Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) featured image

Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)

Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) may be the second most popular Hungarian dish after gulyás. Both dishes rely on paprika for flavor and color. Yet paprikash, with paprika right in the name, takes it over the top. To create this version I sleuthed out the common elements in many authentic Hungarian recipes. The recipe uses bone-in chicken pieces and makes a flavorful sauce that is perfect over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.

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