Hungary is a well-known for its distinctive culture, unique language and interesting cuisine.
It is perhaps for these reasons, as well as the beauty of the country's capital, Budapest, that Hungary has in recent years become one of the leading tourist destinations in the world.
Of course, when people visit a country they often want to take a bit of that experience home with them, and one way that they can do that is by preparing Hungarian dishes at home.
Hungarian cuisine shares some features with the cuisine of the country's neighbors, but also includes some distinctive features.
Perhaps the best known of these is the use paprika to enliven the taste of many dishes.
It is not entirely certain when this innovation was introduced - some people say it was a native innovation, whereas other attribute it to the influence of the Ottoman Turks who occupied much of the country from 1526 to 1699.
The most famous of Hungarian dishes is undoubtedly Goulash, which is known within Hungary as "Gulyás" or "Gulyásleves".
The dish is a stew, or very soup, prepared by cooking chunks of beef on the bone (shank, shin or shoulder) in a pot with onions, peppers, herbs, garlic and of course paprika - some versions of the dish also add potatoes.
Other popular Hungarian main courses include a fish soup made using freshwater fish, onions and paprika with tomatoes and white wine, goose liver (usually pan-fried), meat stew ("Pörkölt"), and a dish made from mashed vegetables known as "Fozelék".
Additionally, there are also many interesting Hungarian desserts, the most famous of which is Dobos Cake ("Dobosh Torte" or "Dobos Torte") which is five layered sponge cake that was invented by the famous Hungarian confectioner, József C.
Dobos.
It is perhaps for these reasons, as well as the beauty of the country's capital, Budapest, that Hungary has in recent years become one of the leading tourist destinations in the world.
Of course, when people visit a country they often want to take a bit of that experience home with them, and one way that they can do that is by preparing Hungarian dishes at home.
Hungarian cuisine shares some features with the cuisine of the country's neighbors, but also includes some distinctive features.
Perhaps the best known of these is the use paprika to enliven the taste of many dishes.
It is not entirely certain when this innovation was introduced - some people say it was a native innovation, whereas other attribute it to the influence of the Ottoman Turks who occupied much of the country from 1526 to 1699.
The most famous of Hungarian dishes is undoubtedly Goulash, which is known within Hungary as "Gulyás" or "Gulyásleves".
The dish is a stew, or very soup, prepared by cooking chunks of beef on the bone (shank, shin or shoulder) in a pot with onions, peppers, herbs, garlic and of course paprika - some versions of the dish also add potatoes.
Other popular Hungarian main courses include a fish soup made using freshwater fish, onions and paprika with tomatoes and white wine, goose liver (usually pan-fried), meat stew ("Pörkölt"), and a dish made from mashed vegetables known as "Fozelék".
Additionally, there are also many interesting Hungarian desserts, the most famous of which is Dobos Cake ("Dobosh Torte" or "Dobos Torte") which is five layered sponge cake that was invented by the famous Hungarian confectioner, József C.
Dobos.