My wife is of Hungarian and German heritage. Growing up, she relished visits to her Grandfather’s home to indulge in all manner of Hungarian culinary delights.

The corner-stone of this Central European cuisine is a distinctive blend of spices – of which paprika is ‘King’.

There are very few aromas that beat the combination of onion, garlic and paprika frying in a pan. This simple combination of ingredients results in a depth of savoury flavour that is uniquely Hungarian.

Paprika is the name commonly given to a wide selection of red powders, ground from various members of the chilli pepper family.

Although there are many grades of paprika, they often share similar flavour characteristics such as sweet, savoury and subtle warmth.

The differences in colour depth are due to the amount of ‘Capsanthin’ found in the ripe chilli pepper. And the scale of heat is dictated by the quantity of ‘Capsaicin’ which is found in the seeds. The non-spicy, sweeter paprika is made by grinding the dried chilli flesh without seeds, while spicy paprika contains varying quantities of dried flesh and the chilli seeds.

Paprika’s delicate flavour has the ability to compliment other ingredients without overpowering or dominating them.

The spice is used as a seasoning in many recipes such as soups, stews, rice dishes and sausage fillings.

However, the world’s most famous paprika flavoured dish would have to be Hungarian Goulash. Most people recognise Goulash as a stew, and that’s how it is mostly prepared nowadays, but it is originally a soup.

If you are unfamiliar with paprika, a great way to introduce it to your dinner table is as a simple seasoning for homemade French fries or generously sprinkled on steaks, lamb chops, grilled chicken or fish fillets.

Hungarian Goulash

One thing Hungarians are passionate about, is cooking. And, my wife’s late grandfather was no exception. My fondest memory of him will always be the Goulash he cooked in a camp oven suspended over an open fire.

No matter how stealthily I tried to find out his cooking secrets, he always knew what I was up to and would rarely share his recipes. He even went as far as physically removing me from his kitchen while he was cooking – all in good fun though.

Here is my personal goulash recipe, not quite the same as the genuine article, but it’s reasonably quick, easy and great soul food for the cooler winter months.

500g veal, diced
100g onion, diced
100g red capsicum, diced
100g potatoes, diced
pinch salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp paprika (approx.)
1 tbsp chili sauce
1/4 tsp fresh chill, chopped (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
750ml chicken stock
2 tsp cornflour for thickening

Heat oil and add the chopped chilli, onion, capsicum and potato, cook gently until tender.
Take out of the pan and put aside.
Heat a little more oil in the pan and seal the diced veal. (Do not overcook)
Add the paprika, chilli sauce, some stock and return the vegetables to the pan.
Bring to the boil. Mix cornflour with 1 tbsp water and stir into meat mixture.
Cook for approximately 2 minutes to thicken.
Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Cook for approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours.

* Goulash is delicious served with creamy mashed potato or dumplings.