4 simply delicious Hungarian recipes with pálinka
While we like to gulp down a shot of homemade plum or apricot pálinka every now and then, we know that this traditional Hungarian brandy is fantastic for more than drinking. Apart from keeping you warm on the chillier autumn days, it also makes cooking more fun! Meaty main courses, hearty local classics and even desserts can be enhanced with a few drops of pálinka, which builds flavour and depth into the dish. So pop open a bottle of your favourite style (like you needed an excuse) and get down to cooking. These delicious Hungarian recipes will blow your mind and your tastebuds.
Garlic lamb shanks with apple purée and speck-wrapped potatoes
Lamb shanks are considered the king of all lamb cuts. Although not the most popular meat in Hungarian cuisine, lamb has long been the favourite in dishes all around the world, especially in the Mediterranean. Apple purée is a classic side that goes perfectly with the tender meat while the speck-wrapped potatoes will make everyone happy around the table. See the original recipe HERE.
Ingredients:
800 g boneless lamb shank
2 garlic cloves salt freshly ground pepper 1 big red onion 5 g caraway 80 g pig fat (preferably made of mangalica) |
400 g red apples
1/2 lemon 2 tbsp honey 20 ml pálinka (shingled-leaf, apple or the style of your choice) cinnamon 600g potatoes 12 pieces of sliced speck |
Instructions:
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Read more: 4 delicious sweet and savoury plum recipes for the autumn season – PHOTOS
Strudel with goose liver pâté
Goose liver pâté is an iconic dish in Hungarian cuisine, and locals swear it beats the French foie gras a million times. This traditional delicacy combined with the flaky, savoury strudel is just what you crave this time of the year. Take a bite of this wholesome dish and let all your cares melt away. The original recipe can be accessed HERE.
Ingredients:
500-600 g goose liver
1 big apple 1 big red onion a bouquet of chives 20 ml apple pálinka salt |
ground white pepper
300 ml milk 5 garlic cloves 1 package of phyllo dough bread crumbs |
Instructions:
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Tiramisu with apple pálinka
A creamy dessert with pálinka-soaked ladyfingers surrounded by lightly sweetened whipped cream and a rich mascarpone, this superb Hungarian-style tiramisu will be the go-to snack at every dinner party. The flavours will mingle nicely thanks to the brandy. Check out the original recipe HERE.
Ingredients:
8 pieces of ladyfingers
75 ml apple or quince pálinka 200 ml apple juice 250 g mascarpone 1 packet of vanilla sugar 150 ml cream (sour cream) |
3 apples
juice of 1/2 lemon 50 g butter 100 g sugar cinnamon 100 g roasted walnuts |
Instructions:
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Chocolate muffin with apricot pálinka
Calling all chocoholics! These mega-chocolate-y muffins, loaded with chocolate chips in every single bite, are scrumptious. A perfect comfort food now that the summer days are over, this rich dessert is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. Find the original recipe HERE.
Ingredients:
150 g wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder 100 g sugar 1 packet vanilla sugar 3 eggs |
2 tbsp milk
50 ml apricot pálinka 150 g dark chocolate 100 g butter |
Instructions:
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Read more: Sweet moments! Try these unforgettable recipes flavoured with Tokaj Aszú
Source: palinkamuzeumvisegrad.hu, szilvasgombockonyhaja.hu, palinka.com
Lamb shanks “the king of all lamb cuts”? Are you sure you that you have not got your animal parts mixed up? Lamb shanks are the cheapest part of lamb hence needing to cooked very slowly on a low heat:
: lamb shanks are from the lower leg of lambs, and they are an inexpensive, tough cut of meat. Because of this, lamb shanks need to be slow cooked – either braised or roasted – to break down the tough meat to soften into succulent tenderness. Source recipetineats
In the West, they are usually served with a red wine or a mint and rosemary sauce. In fact, in the chilled food section you can buy them ready cooked and they just need to be heated up ie Tesco 2X Lamb Shanks In Red Wine Gravy 780G Rest of Ready to Cook Lamb shelf £8.00£10.26/kg (about 3700 ft). The mint and gravy pack of 2 are cheaper at about 3100 ft.
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