One of the biggest American misconceptions of Hungarian culture is the authentic "Goulash" dish. We imagine a thick, hearty stew that sticks to our insides like meat-flavored plaster. Tasty, I'm sure, but nothing like the Hungarian dish that it is based off of.
In the native tounge it is referred to as "gulyás" and comes from the word for a cattle stockman or herdsman. Traditonally prepared as a soup, it consists largely of meat and potatoes, flavored generously with spicy paprika. Oftentimes the dinner is served with dumplings, polenta, or a hearty bread. You can only imagine how deprived I felt for having realized that I've been living in Budapest for three weeks now and have yet to enjoy traditional gulyás! So, last night Sarah and I walked about a block to a little restaurant that served traditional Hungarian cuisine and finally tried this infamous dish.
It was so good.
I'm hooked for sure, and now I'm going to make a point of A) finding more and B) figuring out how to make it myself before I leave; two noble goals that will certainly keep me occupied for most of the semester.
On an entirely different note, my care package from home arrived yesterday and I do believe the words of my coordinator were "Wow, you look so happy because of that box." She was right too- it was probably the happiest moment since I got here. To be able to read the food label on the back of my American-sized container of baking powder was pure joy. Thanks Mom and Dad!!
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