Goulash

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There are so many recipes for goulash.  Some recipes get called goulash but they aren’t really goulash.  I don’t know that Hungarians or goulash traditionalist would feel that this qualifies.  What I do know is that my family enjoys this recipe!

In the hotter months, I cook this on the stovetop or in crockpot.  in the cooler months, I’ll cook it in the oven.  Sometimes we eat this like a soup while other times I ladle it over noodles or mashed potatoes.  Again – versatility … it’s like my mantra.  I just love that versatility!

Of course, we typically douse this with Cholula Hot Sauce while we eat it – totally optional if hot sauce isn’t your bag!

Goulash

• 2 lbs stew meat
• Coating
• 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
• 1 1/2 C flour
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1/2 Tbsp pepper
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• water, chicken broth, or combination  to just cover the meat
• 1 Tbsp Beef Better than Bouillon base
• 16 oz can tomato sauce
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 C half-and-half

Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat.  Once hot, add the butter and olive oil and get it hot.  Add the chopped onions and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until starting to caramelize.  Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  While the onions are cooking, prepare the meat.

In a Ziploc bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Ranch dressing mix.  Add the stew meat and toss to coat it well.  You may want to do this in batches. 

Once the onions and garlic are ready, add the meat and brown it well.  You may want to do this in batches so as to not overcrowd the pan.  Once the meat has been browned, put all meat in the pan and cover with water/broth mixture until it’s submerged about 1/2" to 3/4”.  Stir in the bouillon base or a bouillon cube.  Cook this for 70 to 90 minutes.  You want the meat to be very tender.

Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and the cream.  Heat until very hot.  Taste for seasonings and adjust to your family’s liking.

Serve it as a soup/stew or over noodles/mashed potatoes.