Seven Chief’s Tokány – Csikós Tokány
a.k.a. “Hungarian Wrangler stew”
The CsikósTokány may be also served with Hungarian noddles or Egg Barley.
The name comes from the chiefs of the seven Magyar (Hungarian) tribes who eventually settled on the Carpathian Basin after their migration.
Serve for 4 person – Preparation time: 80 mins
Ingredients: Use only pork meat – 80 dkg pork – thigh, loin, leg, 15 dkg meat bacon, 2 medium heads onions, small amount of garlic, 4 dl sour cream, 2 tbs flour, 2 tbs red pepper, 2 tbs dried marjoram, salt, freshly ground pepper, oil.
Preparation process: Clean the meat thoroughly, then strip it to uniform size salt it and set it aside. Peel the onion and risk it, then cut he bacon without the rind … to wide noddle size, wilt in the lard, remove and strain it. Once done with that, start to fry the bacon in a thin oil, lighten the onions on it. If it has already blushed into a nice glass, the meat may come on when it has let in a little moisture, add the red pepper as well, taking care not to burn it!
Cooking: Pour the meat with enough water to cover it halfway, then cook it in its juice until soft, but if the water is not enough yet, pour some on it, just to slightly cover! Cook for cca 25 mins. Once the meat is soft enough, add some cubed green pepper, tomatoes and the bacon, may give a twist with adding a clove of garlic deepling on the taste. Sprinkle with the marjoram. Shake the pot do not stir while adding these mixtues. Thenafter, set the fire under low heat. Mix the sour cream until smooth with the flour, stirring constantly, will thicken the gravy with it. Add this sauce to the meat. When it’s done ready to serve.
Egg Barley – Tarhonya
“Q” What type of food is the Tarhonya?
“A” It is a garnish that in many cases known as Hungarian grated dry pasta.
“Q” Where does this sort of pasta originate?
“A” As far as known, it prehaps originates from Persia and the Turks took over into their daily meals. Derived from the Ottoman-Turkish word “tarchana” of Persian origin, which meant in those days made dough from wheat flour with the addition of skimmed milk.
“Q” What is needed to make home-made Tarhonya?
“A” Flour, eggs, water, salt.
Preparing time: 35 mins.
Ingredients for home-made Egg Barley – Tarhonya (if having time and being in the mood to make it)… Well-known basic recipe for the Hungarians are in use of flour, eggs are kneaded with salt … counting one egg for a total handful of flour. Leave it to dry then using the grater on a large hole file, like a cheese grater.
To make home-made Egg Baley – Tarhony … if not having a grater, then stretch the dough to about 3 mm, then cut it lengthwise into thin strips first and then crosswise. These also need to be rolled over with our palms … This slicing method is not at all as lengthy as might first think.
The egg barlkey – tarhonya prepared has to be dried in the sun. It can be stored later in a paper box for up to several years and when needed just cook same as the one from the store ready to cook: 3-4 tsp oil. 2 cups tarhonya (this is about 40 dkg) 4 cups water, 1 tsp home-made seasoning (possibly 1 soup cube) 1 tbs salt, 1 large pinch of pepper. Preparation: Heat the oil in a cooking utensil, then sprinkle the tarhonya of 2 cups on it and fry it, stirring often. Some like it dark brown, some medium brown. Then add the cold water, cover with a lid and cook on low heat not to burn. Inbetween stir once or twice. when boiling. By the time the water evaporate the tarhonya is cooked turn off the heat and let it cook in its own steam under the lid.
May read more about other traditional Hungarian dishes by visiting previous recipe @ “Q” & “A” Culinary Heritage Into Hungarian Kitchen.
© by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 