Hearty Goulash: A Comforting Dish for Cold Evenings

Goulash is a flavorful, comforting stew that originated in Hungary and has become popular throughout Central Europe and the United States. This recipe combines tender beef, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes with a mix of aromatic spices to create a rich and satisfying dish. Serve it over noodles or with crusty bread for a complete meal that will warm you up on cold evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, diced
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef chunks to the pot and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
3. In the same pot, add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the paprika, caraway seeds, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables in the spices.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.
6. Return the beef to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
7. Remove the bay leaf from the pot and taste the goulash. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. Serve the goulash hot over noodles or with crusty bread.
9. Enjoy!

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