Hungarian Lecho Recipes

LECSó- HUNGARIAN PEPPER-TOMATO STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a fairly large pan and saute the chopped onion until translucent.
• Add the chopped peppers and toss them together with the onions for about 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped garlic, then paprika, salt and pepper. Mix and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped tomatoes of the canned diced tomatoes.Cook until the sauce reduces and the peppers are soft and cooked.
• Serve as a side dish with your favorite meats.
• Optional: If you add bacon or sausages, start by cooking the bacon and sausages first, then continue with the recipe the same way.

HUNGARIAN TOMATO-PEPPER STEW (LECSó)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large skillet, sauté the onion in bacon fat or oil over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add pepper strips and cook another 15 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, sugar, salt, and paprika, and cook for another 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mixture resembles chunky tomato sauce.

HUNGARIAN LETCHO

Steps:

• Boil water in medium pot. While you are waiting for the water to boil, remove the skin on the Kielbasa. If it is too thin to peel, then add slit or poke holes on the Kielbasa with a fork to account for expansion in the boiling water. Boil the Kielbasa for about 30 minutes. Slice the peppers and the onion in thin long strains. In a 2 inch deep saute pan add the oil until it is hot. Saute the onions for about 2-3 minutes. Add the peppers and then saute for another 5-7 minutes. Add the diced Tomatoes, salt, pepper and paprika. Allow it to boil on low heat for about 10 minutes. After the Kielbasa is done boiling, dump the water. wait for the Kielbasa to cool down. If you have not already removed the skin prior to boiling, now it is just as great of an opportunity to finish peeling it.. Once the skin is removed, then slice the Keilbasa in to 1/4 inch thick pieces. Once the Letcho has boiled for 10 minutes, add the sausage. Mix it all together and allow it to cook for another 10 minutes on low heat.

HUNGARIAN LETCHO

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, saute the onions& garlic in olive oil, until limp, approx 2 minutes.
• Add sliced sausage& chilli and cook, mixing with onions& garlic for approx 5 minutes.
• Add bell peppers and mix well with onions, garlic& sausages.
• Add salt and pepper, to taste.
• Turn heat down and add Tomatoes.
• Let simmer until the peppers are soft.
• Keep simmering for a further 2 minutes and serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

HUNGARIAN LECSO - PEPPER, SAUSAGE AND TOMATO STEW

Steps:

• METHOD: In a heavy, straight-sided sauté pan or a casserole (like a Dutch Oven), melt three generous tablespoons of delicious lard.
• Prepare all peppers, core, devein and cut into 4-6 long narrow wedges.
• Cut onions into ½ moon slices. Place onions and peppers into the lard on high heat. Stir-fry until it becomes like a stew, cooked, but still firm; only about 6-8 minutes - no longer, you want the integrity of the peppers to remain in tact and the bright colours to stay. Then, add all seasonings, stewed tomatoes and paste.
• Adding the Hungarian Sausage: Take 1 pair of Hungarian Kolbász (Sausage) and slice it on the "diagonal" - the visual effect is important. You can add the slices right into the pepper stew and let it stew together if it's not too dry. Other sausage variations like Debrecen are ideal, but the drier ones, like the Gyulai sausage are exceptionally delicious. Note: if the sausage is too dry - stew beforehand in ½ cup water in a shallow saucepan for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the peppers. (Add both stewing liquid and sausage to the peppers).
• Let simmer until all flavours are melded; about 4-6 minutes. Warning - when you are stirring, use a wooden slotted spoon so as not to break up the peppers - you are not going for baby food!
• Serving Suggestions: Serve with fluffy white jasmine rice and/or fresh Hungarian white bread. You can jazz it up or play it down. However you use, it you will find it to be very complimentary with a variety of your favourite dishes.