👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil or lard in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.

   💡 Conseils de pro: Slowly cooking the onions brings out their sweetness and forms a flavor base.
2. 2

   Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sweet Hungarian paprika and ground caraway seeds. This prevents the paprika from burning.

   💡 Conseils de pro: Paprika can burn easily, so adding it off the heat is crucial for a smooth, non-bitter flavor.
3. 3

   Return the pot to medium heat. Add the cubed veal and sear on all sides until lightly browned. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.

   💡 Conseils de pro: Browning the veal adds depth of flavor and texture to the stew.
4. 4

   Pour in the beef or veal stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until the veal is starting to become tender.

   💡 Conseils de pro: Low and slow simmering is key to tenderizing the veal.
5. 5

   Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 45-60 minutes, or until the veal is very tender and the sauce has thickened.

   💡 Conseils de pro: The mushrooms will release their moisture, contributing to the stew's liquid and flavor.
6. 6

   While the stew simmers, prepare the nokedli. In a bowl, whisk together flour, eggs, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water until a thick, smooth batter forms. It should be pourable but not watery.

   💡 Conseils de pro: The consistency of the nokedli batter is important; too thin and they'll be mushy, too thick and they'll be tough.
7. 7

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Use a nokedli maker or a colander with large holes to press or drop small pieces of batter into the boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the surface.

   💡 Conseils de pro: Cook nokedli in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can make them stick together.
8. 8

   Drain the nokedli and toss with a little butter or oil to prevent sticking. Stir the sour cream into the pörkölt just before serving. Do not boil after adding sour cream.

   💡 Conseils de pro: Adding sour cream at the end keeps it from curdling.
9. 9

   Serve the Erdei Borjú Pörkölt hot, spooned over the prepared nokedli. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

   💡 Conseils de pro: This dish pairs well with a side of pickled vegetables.