Hungarian Beef Soup with Vegetables

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef stew meat, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef stew meat, cubed
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Fresh dill, for garnish Fresh dill, for garnish
• Crusty bread, for serving Crusty bread, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the beef stew meat to the pot and brown it on all sides.
3. 3.
   Sprinkle the sweet paprika over the meat and stir well to coat.
4. 4.
   Pour enough water into the pot to cover the meat. Add the bay leaf and caraway seeds.
5. 5.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
6. 6.
   Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and chopped celery to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Continue simmering the soup for another 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup and discard.
9. 9.
   Serve the Húsleves hot, garnished with fresh parsley and dill. Accompany with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef stew meat — For a more tender result, choose cuts like chuck or round. Trim any excess fat before cubing the meat.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the soup while simmering.
• For a thicker consistency, you can add a tablespoon of flour to the sautéed onions before adding the meat.

Serving advice

Serve the Húsleves as a comforting starter or a satisfying main course. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and dill to add a pop of color. Serve it in a deep bowl to showcase the vibrant vegetables and tender beef.