3 litres light beef stock (made with a stock cube)
A bundle of herbs (thyme, parsley and bay), tied with butcher’s string
1 red pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into small dice
1 green pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into small dice
500g potatoes (Maris Piper or similar), cut into small dice
For the seasoning:
½tbsp dried marjoram
¼ lemon, zest
½tbsp hot paprika
½tbsp chopped caraway seeds
pinch of salt
milled black pepper
Method
Mix the seasoning ingredients in a large bowl, and toss together with the diced beef.
Heat a large, heavy casserole dish over a medium heat and sauté the onions with the lard and a small pinch of salt. When lightly coloured – add the chopped garlic, tomato paste and sweet paprika. Stir gently for a couple of minutes. Add the vinegar and water, bring to a boil, and simmer until almost completely evaporated. Add the seasoned beef to the dish and stew together, stirring periodically, for around 20 mins. Add the tomato passata and simmer until reduced to a thick unctuous mass. Add the stock, the bundle of herbs, diced peppers and the potatoes.
Place the casserole into the oven at 150C/Gas 2 and cook, uncovered, for 2.5-3 hours until the beef is very tender. Remove the dish from the oven, check the seasoning and adjust as necessary. Serve with chunks of good quality bread.
Recipe by appetite magazine at https://www.appetitemag.co.uk/goulash-soup/