Goulash

Since I mentioned that I am Hungarian (though not actually from Hungary--born right here in the US) I am including a recipe for goulash in my writings today. Goulash is sometimes thought of as basically chili w/macaroni in it by most Americans. Not so! It's more like beef stew, but more like a soup. The recipe I'm giving is one my Mom made regularly.

Hungarian Goulash Soup

3 lb. Beef shank, cut into bite-sized cubes
3 large onions
¼ C. oil
3 T. sweet Hungarian paprika do not substitute!
¼ t. cayenne pepper
3 t. salt
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 medium green pepper, chopped fine
1 tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped or ½ C. tomato sauce
2 qt. hot water
6 medium potatoes, cubed

Sauté onions, garlic, green peppers and tomatoes in oil until onions are limp. Add meat and seasonings and cook on medium heat until meat is no longer red. Pour on hot water, cover, and simmer about 2 hours. Add potatoes and cook 20 minutes more. Adjust seasonings. Serves 6 to 8.


Of course, you can double or halve it, depending on how many people you are serving. Also, I sometimes slice up a couple of carrots and add them, depending on how I'm feeling that day.

It's good to serve with a slice of homemade white or rye bread, but especially nice with a Hungarian deep fried bread called langalo.

The only reason I'm even writing about this is because I'm going to cook a completely all Hungarian dinner for my daughter's in-laws in a couple of weeks and I'm still thinking about the menu and what to include. Her mother-in-law wants to learn how to make goulash, so we have decided to do an all Hungarian dinner in the near future.

I'll probably be asking myself if I've lost my mind while I'm cooking. Cooking for a crowd with a deadline seems to always bring out the worst in me. Oh well, it'll probably be worth it just for the goulash!

Just Playing Before Work

I did something I haven't done for a long time today. I made a trip to our local Farmer's Market. Although I really wanted to buy some homemade square shaped noodles for a specific Hungarian (I am Hungarian) dish, my plans to actually make the dish will have to wait until a time when the man who makes them is at the market to sell them. :( . Bummer! This really stinks because I wasn't only buying them for myself, but to send to my sister this weekend. I thought that, since my oldest daughter is going to Indianapolis to visit her, I would send some to her. As far as I know, they aren't available in Indy. She likes to make the cabbage and noodle dish, too. Also, my older Sister, Carol, will be visiting her, so I was going to buy some for her to take home to Florida with her. Oh well, maybe some other time.

Since I couldn't buy the noodles, I decided to see what I could get for myself. I found some beads to make bracelets with. Then, I also found a sugar free brownie for my lunch today. Then, I decided to eat breakfast at the restaurant there. Although the wait was a little long due to a mix-up in the kitchen, the food was definitely worth it. YUM! I still have some left, so I'm probably going to eat it for lunch or dinner today. Going back on Saturday morning really early is a definite possibility.


If not, I will go back sometime next week.

090509

Sorry it's been sooo long between posts. There really isn't much going on here other than work and time off. This week-end I worked the 4th until 6:00 p.m. Then, I went to my daughter's for some food and fireworks. It rained, so the fireworks weren't much, but the company was the best, of course. The fireworks we had were pretty and a splendid time was had by all.

My kids made absolutely delicious treats. I loved the "cheesecake" my oldest daughter made. Fat free, sugar free and s000 goood! The cake my youngest daughter made was also yummy! Not so healthy, but yumm! Also, the cheese cake brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Alas, they all had to make do with pre-made chex mix from me, since I worked all day. Next year--I promise--something homemade!