Chef Johns American Goulash

One of my all-time favorite comfort food meals growing up was the beef goulash they served in my school cafeteria alongside a slice of buttered white bread and a carton of milk. Little did I know that it wasn’t really goulash, but an Americanized version, invented to stretch a small amount of beef into enough food for a not-so-small family. This is one of those very simple dishes that does not taste simple–perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation.

Step: 1

Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until browned, about 5 minutes. Cook and stir until liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.

Step: 2

Cook and stir until flavors come together, about 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Rinse out the jar with 1 cup water and pour into the pot. Add soy sauce, stir, and bring soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and simmer to let flavors intensify, about 30 minutes.

Step: 3

Increase heat to medium-high and bring soup to a simmer. Add macaroni; simmer, stirring occasionally, until just barely tender, about 12 minutes. Check for doneness after 10 minutes.

Step: 4

Remove goulash from heat. Discard bay leaves; stir in parsley and Cheddar cheese. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and season as desired.

Per Serving: 336 calories; protein 18.9g; carbohydrates 25.1g; fat 17.3g; cholesterol 58.1mg; sodium 1168.9mg.

The word “stew” can refer to 2 time a food and a cooking method. Stewing involves slowly cooking piece of meat, vegetables or beans in a flavorful liquid . It’s same as to braising, but it makes have a few notable differences. The raw animal vested is chopped into few of pieces instead of being cooked all of it , and the liquid completely covers the essential in a stew as compared to a braise’s halfway all of it . When meat or vegetables are cooked using this method, the resulting dish is called stew.

Stew has a perception for being a rib-sticking meal that warms you up on a freezing , winter day. It’s right that ; a bowl of classic beef stew can make warming featured food , but stew’s cozy factor more than a way beyond protecting you from the cold . It’s all about those soft and chunks of food and vegetables, swimming in a thick, ultra-rich gravy. The way they come together make the ultimate comfort food, no matter the weather.