Hungarian Vegetarian Paprikash | Vegetable Stew with Dumplings

This Hungarian vegetarian paprikash recipe was adapted from the traditional meat-based recipe and made healthy! Paprikás is a vegetable stew with dumplings and paprika spices. 

This adaptation of the traditional Hungarian paprikash recipe offers a delightful vegetarian twist on the classic meat-based dish, delivering both flavor and health benefits. Paprikás, renowned for its rich flavors and paprika-infused spices, is traditionally prepared as a hearty stew accompanied by dumplings.

Passed down from my mother, this Hungarian vegetarian paprikash recipe pays homage to cherished family traditions while embracing a vegetarian lifestyle. Originally crafted with chicken, this rendition has been thoughtfully adapted to cater to our new dietary preferences.

Inspired by fond memories of my grandmother’s meat-based version, I embarked on the journey to recreate this beloved dish in a vegetarian format. The result? A flavorful and satisfying rendition that surpasses the original in my humble opinion. While traditionally known as paprikás, this vegetable stew with dumplings boasts a fiery kick that promises to tantalize your taste buds, making it an ideal choice for lovers of spicy comfort cuisine.

If you love spicy comfort food this is one great recipe for you! And if you’re looking for more hearty stew recipes, check out these recipes: Smoky Beans Stew, Vegan African Peanut Stew, Vegetarian Irish Stew, Smoky Cabbage Stew.

Paprikás recipe – origins and history

The traditional Hungarian dish known as paprikás has its origins deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of Hungary, specifically within the cultural heritage of the Hungarian plains, also known as the Puszta. This iconic dish reflects the agricultural abundance and culinary creativity of the region, incorporating ingredients that were readily available and favored by Hungarian cooks.

Paprikás derives its name from the Hungarian word “paprika,” which refers to the vibrant red pepper spice that is a hallmark of Hungarian cuisine. Paprika became a staple ingredient in Hungarian cooking after it was introduced to the region in the 16th century by the Turks during the Ottoman Empire’s occupation of Hungary. Over time, paprika became an essential element in many Hungarian dishes, including paprikás, where it lends both color and flavor to the dish.

The traditional paprikás recipe typically features meat, such as chicken, veal, or pork, cooked in a rich sauce flavored with onions, garlic, and, of course, paprika. Sour cream is often added to the sauce to create a creamy texture and balance the spice of the paprika. The dish is simmered slowly to allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in a hearty and flavorful stew that is served hot, often accompanied by dumplings, noodles, or potatoes.

Throughout history, paprikás has remained a beloved dish in Hungarian cuisine, enjoyed by families and celebrated during festive occasions. Its popularity has spread beyond Hungary’s borders, becoming a cherished part of international cuisine and a symbol of Hungarian culinary heritage. Today, paprikás continues to delight food enthusiasts worldwide with its rich flavors, comforting aroma, and cultural significance.

Tips for making the best paprikás dumplings

To ensure your dumplings for paprikas are perfectly tender and flavorful, consider these tips:

• Use the Right Flour: Opt for all-purpose flour, which provides a good balance of gluten for structure and tenderness. Avoid using self-rising flour, as it may affect the texture of the dumplings.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing, as this can result in tough dumplings. Mix the ingredients until just combined to maintain a light and fluffy texture.
• Add Flavor: Enhance the flavor of the dumplings by incorporating herbs or spices into the dough. Fresh parsley, dill, or chives can add a subtle yet delightful flavor that complements the paprikas sauce.
• Ensure Proper Consistency: Aim for a dough that is soft and slightly sticky but holds its shape when formed into dumplings. Adjust the amount of liquid or flour as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
• Size Matters: Keep the size of your dumplings uniform to ensure even cooking. Aim for small to medium-sized dumplings, as they will expand slightly during cooking.
• Handle with Care: When forming the dumplings, gently shape them into balls using lightly floured hands. Avoid compacting the dough too tightly, as this can result in dense dumplings.
• Cook in Simmering Sauce: Drop the formed dumplings directly into the simmering paprikas sauce. Ensure the sauce is gently simmering, not boiling, to prevent the dumplings from breaking apart.
• Cover and Steam: Once all the dumplings are added to the sauce, cover the pot with a lid and allow the dumplings to steam for the specified cooking time. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to prevent steam from escaping.
• Test for Doneness: To check if the dumplings are cooked through, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of one dumpling. It should come out clean, indicating that the dumplings are cooked.

By following these tips, you can create delicious, fluffy dumplings that perfectly complement your paprikas dish, elevating it to new heights of flavor and texture.

Vegetarian Hungarian Paprikash (Vegetable Stew with Dumplings)

Gourmandelle.com

This is the popular Hungarian vegetarian paprikash recipe, made vegetarian and healthy!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine European, Hungarian

Servings 6

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

 

MetricUS (Imperial)

 

1x2x3x

Dumplings:

• 2 eggs
• salt to taste
• 6 tbsp all-purpose flour or more; the consistency has to be a little bit thicker than sour cream

Stew:

• 1 carrot sliced
• 2 onions chopped
• 4 red bell peppers chopped
• 400 g canned tomatoes peeled, chopped
• 2 Tbsps all-purpose flour dissolved in 1 glass of cold water (add flour first, then pour water over it)
• 1 bunch parsley chopped
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 2 Tbsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp hot paprika
• 2 Tbsps oil
• 2 bay leaves
• salt to taste

Instructions

 

Dumplings:

• Fill one pot with water and bring to a boil.
• Whisk the egg whites until foamy.
• Add egg yolks and salt.
• Sprinkle one tbsp of flour at a time over the whisked eggs and incorporate.
• When the consistency is creamy you’re done.
• Now to the cooking part:
• Place a glass filled with cold water right beside you.
• Take about 1/2 tbsp of dough and slowly place it in the boiling water. The dough will slip off the tablespoon. Don’t fill the whole tablespoon because the dumplings will double their size.
• Dip the tablespoon in the glass with cold water.
• Repeat the process.
• Cover with a lid and let them boil over medium heat for 10 minutes.
• When ready, remove from heat and leave them in the pot until you finish the stew.

Stew:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
• Add chopped onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Add chopped peppers and sliced carrots.
• Add salt, pepper.
• Pour over 1/2 cup of water (just enough to cover all ingredients).
• Cover with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
• Add chopped tomatoes, bay leaves and hot and sweet paprika.
• Cook for another 10 minutes.
• Add dissolved flour and stir for 2 minutes until incorporated.
• Remove from heat and add chopped parsley.
• Add dumplings and stir.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 6359IUVitamin C: 124mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 3mg

Keyword carrots, dumplings, peppers, spicy, stew, tomato sauce, tomatoes

Liked this recipe?Join the community and receive monthly recipes, straight to your inbox!