| The Republic of Hungary is a central European | | | | goulash (known in Hungary as "gulyás" or |
| country. The country lies in the Carpathian Basin, the | | | | "gulyásleves"), however it is quite different from |
| river Danube ("Duna") running through its capital, | | | | what many foreigners believe the dish to be like. If you |
| Budapest. The territory that is today Hungary, has | | | | have ever eaten American goulash made using |
| been inhabited since ancient times, including a Celtic | | | | hamburger, you will certainly find the Hungarian version |
| period (from approximately 450 BCE) and Roman | | | | an interesting change! Hungarian goulash is actually |
| period (9 BCE to the 4th century CE). The modern | | | | prepared as a soup, traditionally in a cauldron. Cuts of |
| nation state of Hungary traces its roots to the late 9th | | | | beef (usually shoulder, shin or shank), seasoned and |
| century, when Magyar chiefs founded what would | | | | flavoured with paprika, are browned in a pot, and then |
| eventually become the Kingdom of Hungary. After | | | | chopped onions added. Stock or water is then added |
| World War II, the country become a communist | | | | to make the soup, which is slowly simmered for a long |
| republic, but since 1989, Hungary has been a | | | | time. The simmering turns collagen in the meat into |
| democratic parliamentary republic. Today Hungary is a | | | | gelatin which makes the soup very thick. Some chefs |
| popular destination and is known internationally for the | | | | also may add a small amount of tomatoes, hot |
| beauty of its capital city, Budapest, the country's unique | | | | peppers, perhaps chopped potatoes, and herbs or |
| language, and for its interesting cuisine. | | | | vinegar as well. |
| Many Hungarian dishes use sour cream and eggs, and | | | | As you can imagine, there are many other interesting |
| to be fair, so dishes do share some common | | | | Hungarian dishes, including soups, main courses and |
| characteristics with recipes from Hungary's central | | | | desserts. Of course, I could not hope to introduce them |
| European neighbours. One thing that does however | | | | all to you in a short article, so my suggestion is why |
| make Hungarian food stand out, is the widespread use | | | | not try some Hungarian dishes - otherwise, you'll never |
| of paprika to flavour many dishes. | | | | know how much you might enjoy them! |
| Perhaps the most famous of Hungarian dishes is | | | | |