Favourite Hungarian ingredients – caraway

Caraway is one of those ingredients you either love or hate. It can be used in various ways, for instance in breads and pastries, but you can make a soup or even a cake out of it. In Hungary, it is often added to pastries, but many of our staple dishes contain it, too, contributing to the strong flavours.

Caraway became widespread in Europe in the 13th century. It has numerous health benefits. For instance, it helps with digestion, reduces bloating and colic, and it also gets rid of bacteria and fungi. Due to its health benefits, it is also often made into tea.

Goulash

Perhaps the most famous Hungarian meal is the goulash, known and loved worldwide. Goulash was originally the meal of herdsmen, but by today, it managed to conquer the whole world. The delicious mixture of meat, potatoes, vegetables, and the spice paprika make it an irresistible choice. You can either prepare it as a stew or rather as a soup, too, depending on what you are up for. Caraway seeds, wine, and tomatoes are optional, but you will not regret adding them if you want a bit of an extra kick to your dish.

To read more about this famous meal, click here.

Potato paprikash

Potato paprikash has very similar ingredients as the goulash, except is contains sausages and not beef or pork. So, it is no surprise that caraway seeds appear in its list of ingredients as well. However, since it is such a divisive spice, adding it is optional here, too. Potato paprikash is great in the summer months as it is relatively easy to make, and if you want to, you can even make it outside, too, in a cauldron at a campfire with friends, perhaps, or after a nice excursion.