Bavarian Goulash & Germany – For The Euros 2024
Goulash is a classic Winter Stew which originates from Eastern Europe and specifically from Hungary. However, you can find it on menus all around Europe and especially in Germany. The key ingredient in a goulash is the bright red spice of Paprika. I spent many happy years travelling and cooking my way around Europe and for a while I settled in Bavaria, working in a hotel based in the twin Alpine towns of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The Head Chef there was a really big (and I mean BIG!) jolly German and the only way to get respect from him was to cook a mean Goulash that would match his standards. My time came and he towered over me as I cowered over the Bratt-pan armed with a huge wooden spoon. “Wo ist der Paprika?” he queried. “It’s here Chef’”, I squeaked as I sprinkled liberally onto the big pan of stewing beef! Later, he tasted it as I trembled nearby and bellowed, “Ja, Ja, Gut!” So, I passed with flying colours and from then on whenever I made gallons of Goulash, I NEVER forgot the paprika!
For this stew you can use beef, lamb, pork or even make it vegetarian. Just make sure you have a quality matching stock.
HUNGARIAN (or Bavarian) GOULASH (8 PORTIONS)
80ml Oil
2 kg diced Stewing Beef
Salt & Pepper
2 medium sized Onion
1 Leek or carrot
3 cloves crushed garlic
80g Flour
40g paprika powder
60g tomato paste
2 litres brown beef stock
1 Bouquet garni (a herb sachet)
Handful of chopped Parsley
METHOD
1. Heat oil in large thick-bottomed saucepan, and seal off the meat by browning lightly.
2. Season and add chopped Onions, Garlic and Leek or/and carrot and cook gently.
3. Mix in the flour to make a *brown roux.
4. Cool slightly, then add Paprika and tomato paste and mix well. Add hot stock gradually to just cover meat. Bring to the boil and skim. Add a bouquet garni.
5. Cover with a lid and allow to simmer for approximately 1hr or until meat is tender.
6. Remove bouquet garni. Correct seasoning. Add parsley and serve with boiled potatoes or dumplings and a bottle of Red.
These are the ingredients for June and Euro 2024, including a good German Beer!