Last month I introduced you to Hungarian Goulash....a hearty stew that is the national dish of Hungary. This month, I am introducing you to a German variation of that stew. While many of the same flavors are present, this recipe is actually a beef soup. Gulaschsuppe is German for Goulash Soup. It's a hearty and oh so delicious take on the stew...seasoned with paprika, thyme, caraway, marjoram, onion and garlic.
This is a slow cooker recipe, as I like to use chuck roast for its spectacular marbling. After 8 hours of cooking, the beef will just melt in your mouth. If you want to eat on a shorter schedule, substitute lean sirloin for the chuck roast. You'll still brown the meat, sauté the onions and garlic and dump them in a large pot. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot, then cover and simmer for just one hour...and you are good to go.
And one last thing....make sure you serve this soup with crusty bread. It is considered a crime against humanity to not serve bread with soup. Don't be that person. And warm that bread in a 350º oven for 15 minutes before serving.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 pounds chuck roast, cut into 1" cubes
2 medium onions, diced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1-1/2 tablespoons sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon caraway seeds, ground in a mortar and pestal
4 cups beef stock
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
DIRECTIONS
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil, then brown chuck roast in batches (about 2 to 3 minutes per side). When done, add beef to slow cooker.
- Add onions to skillet and sauté until soft (about 5 minutes). Add garlic to onions, sauté an additional 30 seconds, then add onion/garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add the next 12 ingredients to the slow cooker and mix well. Set slow cooker temperature to low, cover and cook soup for 8 hours.
- After 8 hours, taste soup and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve soup in bowls with crusty bread for dipping.
Wine pairing: Syrah
