Ingredients

• 500 grams beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 2 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sour cream, for serving (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside.
2. In the same pot, add the chopped onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
3. Stir in the Hungarian sweet paprika and caraway seeds, ensuring that they coat the onions evenly. Cook for an additional minute to release the flavors.
4. Add the beef stew meat back into the pot along with the diced potatoes, carrots, and red bell pepper. Mix everything together.
5. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
6. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1-2 hours until the meat is tender and the flavors meld together.
7. Once the soup is ready, serve it hot. Optionally, top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for added richness and freshness.

Enjoy your homemade Hungarian Goulash Soup! It's a comforting and hearty dish that will warm you up on a chilly day, or anytime you crave some traditional Hungarian flavors.