Hearty Hungarian Lecso: Paprika Infused Pepper & Sausage Stew
Indulge in the warmth and flavor of this ancient Central European dish, originating from Serbia and treasured in Hungarian cuisine. Hearty Hungarian Lecso is a vibrant medley of sweet bell peppers, luscious tomatoes, and smoky sausage, all simmered in a rich, paprika-infused broth. This dish is incredibly versatile; serve it as a filling main course by adding slices of flavorful Kolbász sausage, or enjoy it as a hearty side alongside breaded meats, such as veal or pork. For a delightful breakfast option, pair it with fluffy scrambled eggs. Often likened to Hungarian Ratatouille, this stew is not just a meal—it's an experience, bursting with color, flavor, and warmth that's perfect for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lard or Bacon Fat
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Medium Onions
3 (Sliced into half-moons)
Red Peppers
3 (Cored, deveined, cut into wedges)
Hot White Hungarian Bell Peppers
3 (Cored, deveined, cut into wedges)
Hot Banana Pepper
1 (Cored, deveined, cut into wedges)
Green Bell Pepper
1 (Cored, deveined, cut into wedges)
Fresh Tomato
1 (Chopped)
Stewed Tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (Whole)
Tomato Paste
1/4 cup (N/A)
Sweet Hungarian Paprika
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Hot Hungarian Paprika
1 dash (N/A)
Salt
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Sugar
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Hungarian Sausage (Kolbász)
1 lb (Sliced diagonally)
Water
1/2 cup (N/A)
Instructions
1
In a heavy-duty, straight-sided sauté pan or a Dutch Oven, melt two generous tablespoons of lard or bacon fat over medium-high heat.
2
Prepare the peppers by removing the cores and seeds, then cut them into 4-6 long narrow wedges for a beautiful presentation.
3
Slice the onions into half-moon shapes. Add the onions and cut peppers to the pan, stir-frying on high heat until they soften slightly but remain firm, about 6-8 minutes. This retains their vibrant colors and integrity.
4
Once the vegetables are sautéed, add the sweet Hungarian paprika, a dash of hot paprika, salt, pepper, sugar, the fresh tomato (chopped), stewed tomatoes (including the juice), and tomato paste.
5
For the sausage, take 1 pound of Hungarian Kolbász sausage and slice it diagonally. If the sausage appears dry, pre-cook it in 1/2 cup of water for 10-15 minutes then add both the sausage and the liquid to the pepper stew.
6
Stir gently with a wooden slotted spoon to combine without breaking up the peppers. Allow to simmer for 4-6 minutes until the flavors meld beautifully.
7
Serve warm, ideally with fluffy white jasmine rice or fresh Hungarian bread, enhancing the experience to suit your preference. Enjoy the comforting tastes of this traditional dish!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
20g
Carbs
12g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Hungarian Lecso?
Hearty Hungarian Lecso is a vibrant pepper and sausage stew made with sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, and smoky Kolbász sausage in a paprika-infused broth.
Where did Lecso originate?
Lecso is an ancient Central European dish that originated in Serbia and became a treasured staple in Hungarian cuisine.
What are the primary ingredients in this stew?
The main ingredients include variety of bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, Hungarian paprika, and Kolbász sausage.
What type of fat is best for cooking Lecso?
The recipe recommends using two generous tablespoons of lard or bacon fat for an authentic flavor.
How should the peppers be prepared?
Peppers should be cored, seeded, and cut into 4 to 6 long narrow wedges for a beautiful presentation.
How do you slice the onions for this recipe?
The onions should be sliced into half-moon shapes.
What kind of paprika is used in Lecso?
The recipe uses both sweet Hungarian paprika and a dash of hot paprika.
How long should you sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onions and peppers on high heat for 6-8 minutes until they soften slightly but remain firm.
What kind of tomatoes are required?
This recipe calls for one chopped fresh tomato and one 14-ounce can of stewed tomatoes with their juice.
Is tomato paste included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of tomato paste is added to help enrich the stew.
What type of sausage is used in Lecso?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 pound of Hungarian Kolbász sausage.
How should the Kolbász sausage be cut?
The sausage should be sliced diagonally.
What should I do if the sausage appears dry?
If the sausage is dry, pre-cook it in 1/2 cup of water for 10-15 minutes before adding both the sausage and the liquid to the stew.
How much sugar is added to the stew?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
What is the recommended cooking vessel?
A heavy-duty, straight-sided sauté pan or a Dutch Oven is ideal for this dish.
How should you stir the stew?
Stir gently with a wooden slotted spoon to combine the ingredients without breaking up the peppers.
How long does the final simmer take?
Allow the stew to simmer for 4-6 minutes until the flavors meld beautifully.
What can I serve with Hungarian Lecso?
It is traditionally served with fluffy white jasmine rice or fresh Hungarian bread.
Can Lecso be served for breakfast?
Yes, it makes a delightful breakfast option when paired with fluffy scrambled eggs.
Is Lecso considered a main course or a side dish?
It is versatile and can be served as a filling main course with sausage or as a side dish alongside breaded meats like veal or pork.
Is Lecso similar to any other dishes?
Lecso is often likened to Hungarian Ratatouille due to its vegetable-heavy composition.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving contains 12g of protein.
How much fat is in a serving of Lecso?
There are 20g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 20g of carbohydrates per serving.
What types of peppers are included?
The recipe uses red peppers, hot white Hungarian bell peppers, hot banana peppers, and green bell peppers.
How much salt and black pepper are needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick from the hot banana pepper and the dash of hot Hungarian paprika.
Can I use water in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of water is used if the sausage needs pre-cooking.
How many different ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 ingredients in total used to create this hearty stew.