Hungarian Lecso Recipes

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.

HUNGARIAN LECSó - PEPPER AND TOMATO STEW

Steps:

• In a pot, sauté the thinly sliced onions in vegetable oil over low heat, stirring frequently, until translucent. Do not let them burn. Salt lightly to help tenderize them. Add a small amount of water, if necessary, to keep them from sticking to the pan.
• Add the cubed tomatoes, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the peppers (cut into medium sized pieces) and 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika powder, sprinkle with ground black pepper and cook for another 5-8 minutes. I do not like to overcook, because then the skin of the peppers cook off. Cooking tip: Do not burn the paprika, or it will become bitter.
• You can have it with bread, with eggs, rice or sausage.

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 LECSO

Steps:

• Place equal amount of tomatoes, onions and capsicum in olive oil in a roasting dish.
• Season with sugar, salt, pepper and paprika.
• Roast in oven over low heat 180 degrees C until caramelised and soft (approximately 20-30 minutes).

HUNGARIAN LECSO

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, saute the onions in oil for a few minutes.
• Stir well, add water, cover and increase the heat to high.
• Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add bell peppers and hot peppers and lower the heat to medium.
• Continue to cook, covered, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, mix well, and simmer for 15 minutes, until onions and peppers are quite soft.
• Add salt to taste.