Favorite Ingredients Friday

My dad was born in Hungary. When I was a child, my parents got a series of books from Time-Life. They were cookbooks from each country. I loved those books. Wish I had them now. Anyway, I think that's where this recipe came from. My mom made this Hungarian dish occasionally. My dad loved it, but I hated it. In fact, only one of my three sisters liked it as a child. I love it now, but Jim isn't crazy about it so I don't make it often. I know this doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but it's awesome. It was too green peppery for me as a child, but now it's great.

Lescó (pronounced Lecho)

3 T lard or bacon fat
1 ½ c finely chopped onion
½ t sweet paprika
1 lb (5) green peppers, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 lb tomatoes, peeled, seeded & coarsely chopped
½ t salt & pepper
½ c tomato puree
1 lb Hungarian de brecini sausage, cut into 1/8-inch slices (I usually end up using kielbasa)
½ t finely chopped garlic

In a 2 qt pan, heat the lard until light haze forms over it; then add onions and garlic and cook 8-10 minutes or until onions are lightly colored.

Off heat, stir in paprika continuing to stir until the onions are well-coated. Stir in green peppers, tomatoes, salt & p epper. Cover and cook over med heat.

If tomatoes have not produced enough liquid to cover vegetables, add ¼ c or more of puree. Cover again while puree is heating, then add the sausage.

Cover and simmer for ½ hour. Should have consistency of tomato sauce. Add remaining puree if needed for thinning. Can be served with a fried egg on top.

I strongly recommend adding the egg at the end. The runny yolk mixes in with the puree and thickens it slightly and makes it creamier. Yummy!

I ended up making a different variation of my last recipe. I've updated that post if you're interested.

Wanted to share the news about a free cookbook from Ragu. Check it out!

Go visit Overwhelmed with Joy for more fantastic recipes!

Past FIF recipes:
Catalina Chicken
Croissant French Toast
Corned Beef
Sloppy Joe, Mac 'n Cheese Casserole
Shredded Chicken
Baked Bean & Burger Casserole
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Crab Rangoon
Sausage con Queso and Ro-tel Cheese Dip
Blueberry Multigrain Coffeecake
Banana Bread
Bananas Foster
Old-Time Beef Stew
White Chocolate Snack Mix
Gorilla Bread
Ginger Shrimp
Roast Chicken
Tex-Mex Chicken Taco Soup
Shrimp Mold
Pasta Puttanesca
Pork Milanese
Pumpkin Dip
Oven-fried Chicken
Best Bundt Cake Ever
Hot Dog Casserole
Chicken & Rice
Peanut Butter Fudge
Omelets in a Bag
Shrimp Boil
Apple Cheese
Pulled Pork BBQ