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Discover the Delight of Pörkölt
Pörkölt is a mouthwatering Hungarian meat stew that boasts a rich onion sauce. This dish is slow-cooked to achieve tender, juicy meat that practically melts in your mouth!
If you’re searching for a recipe that not only warms you up but also satisfies your hunger, look no further than this pörkölt! Pair it with a fresh salad, some rolls, and carrots for a wholesome meal that the entire family will adore.
What Exactly is Pörkölt?
Pörkölt is an iconic dish from Hungary derived from the word “pörkölini,” meaning “to roast.” Traditionally made with beef, this stew is often served over egg noodles but can also be enjoyed with rice or mashed potatoes. The secret to its tenderness lies in simmering the meat in a flavorful sauce for nearly two hours. The addition of Hungarian sweet paprika gives it just the right amount of spice.
This hearty recipe requires only about 15 minutes of prep time; after that, it’s all about letting it simmer on the stove. It’s an easy way to create something truly delicious without spending hours in the kitchen! Stews like this are perfect for family dinners and pair wonderfully with various sides—especially vegetables. Trust me; you’ll want to give this one a try!
Essential Ingredients for Pörkölt
While its name might sound complex, making pörkölt is quite straightforward—and so are its ingredients! Check out the recipe card at the end of this post for specific measurements.
- Olive Oil: Used to sear the meat before adding it to the sauce.
- Beef: Chuck roast or stew meat works best.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing flavor.
- Onion: A Vidalia onion adds sweetness when thinly sliced.
- Tomato Sauce: Forms the base of your savory sauce.
- Beef Broth: Used generously to cover and cook down your beef.
- Hungarian Sweet Paprika: Adds depth and warmth; substitute regular paprika if preferred.
- Vinegar: Introduces a subtle tanginess.
- Bay Leaf: Just one leaf enhances overall flavor during cooking.
- Sour Cream: A dollop on top adds creaminess when serving.
- Wide Egg Noodles: Traditionally served alongside pörkölt but can be swapped out for rice or mashed potatoes as desired.
How to Prepare Pörkölt
Making pörkölt couldn’t be easier! While it’s simmering away on your stovetop, feel free to prepare any side dishes you’d like—your hearty meal will be ready in under two hours!
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Brown Your Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add cubed beef seasoned with salt and pepper until browned on all sides; then set aside once seared through.
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Create Your Sauce: In that same pot, add sliced onions and sauté until golden (about 8 minutes). If necessary, drizzle in more oil before incorporating tomato sauce, beef broth (enough to cover), paprika, vinegar, bay leaf along with your browned beef.
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Simmer Away: Cover your pot and reduce heat low enough so it simmers gently—let cook undisturbed for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes until tender perfection has been achieved!
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Final Touches: Once done cooking remove from heat & discard bay leaf while allowing everything cool slightly (around 10 mins) as you boil those noodles separately according package instructions! Before serving taste-test seasoning again adjusting salt/pepper if needed—the final result should yield thickened goodness ready atop egg noodles garnished generously by sour cream dollops per plateful served up hot!
Is Searing Necessary?
Absolutely! Searing locks moisture into each piece while creating caramelized edges full of flavor—a crucial step not worth skipping if you want juicy results every time!
Storing Leftovers
Pörkölt makes fantastic leftovers perfect reheating options come lunchtime or dinner next day too:
In The Fridge: After cooling completely transfer into airtight container separate from any pasta/rice/potatoes stored nearby—it’ll keep well refrigerated lasting around three-four days max!
Reheating Tips: Simply pop into microwave covered heating high power setting roughly between one-two minutes till warmed through again enjoying delightful flavors anew each bite taken thereafter too!!
Recipe Summary
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds chuck roast/stew meat cut small
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- One sweet onion (Vidalia), thinly sliced
- Eight ounces tomato sauce
- One cup beef broth
- Four tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
- One teaspoon vinegar
- One bay leaf
- One cup sour cream divided among servings
- Sixteen ounces wide egg noodles
Follow these steps: 1) Brown cubed meats seasoned well then set aside after achieving nice color throughout! 2) Cook onions till golden brown adding remaining ingredients back together stirring thoroughly combining flavors nicely before covering letting simmer long enough till fork-tenderness reached! 3) Serve piping hot atop cooked noodle beds finishing off garnishing plates beautifully dolloped creamy goodness alongside them too!!
Nutritional Information:
Approximate values per serving include calories at around357 kcal along carbohydrates totaling59 g protein12 g fat9 g saturated fats included within those figures above etc., providing balanced nourishment enjoyed by everyone gathered around table sharing moments together savoring every bite shared amongst loved ones present there enjoying life’s simple pleasures found within good food made lovingly prepared just right!!
For more culinary inspiration check out additional ideas below brought forth by Alyssa Rivers author behind ‘The Tried-and-Tested Cookbook’ known widely across platforms such as Good Morning America Today Food Buzzfeed etc., showcasing her passion towards creating memorable meals everyone can enjoy together!!