Gulyas - Hungarian Goulash

I am actually well known for my American version of Goulash.  Boys tend to love it.  It's meaty and full of pasta and other stuff that is really bad for you.  So I decided to search for a better for you recipe.  I am combining my version with two healthier, more authentic versions called Gulyas found HERE and HERE.  Basically I have learned that Gulyas is a Hungarian stew mainly with meat, potatoes, and noodles.  Sounds good enough for me to try :)

Gulyas - Hungarian Goulash
2 lbs stew meat
2 medium onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 cups beef stock
1 cup water
1/2 tsp caraway seed
1 heaping TBS sweet paprika
dash of cayenne pepper
5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1-1/2 cups diced carrots (about 8 oz baby carrots)
1/2 cups diced celery
2 bell pepper, diced
1 can stewed tomatoes
2 TBS flour
2 TBS water

1. Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat and add stew meat
2. Evenly brown meat and then add onion and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes
3. Add beef stock, water, caraway seeds, paprika, and cayenne pepper
4. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes
5. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, bell pepper, and stewed tomatoes
6. Stir well, return to a boil, cover, and cook on low for 30 minutes
7. Combine flour and water, bring stew back to a boil and then slowly pour flour mixture into stew and stir constantly until thickened. 

***NOTE***  I continued to cook over medium-high heat for 20 minutes just to evaporate some of the liquid and cook the meat more at the end.  I read that authentic Gulyas the meat should be tender, but not shred.  We like our stews to be very tender and thick so I added this cook time to get the consistency and tenderness we like.

Serve with noodles, dumplings, or some crusty bread.  We served ours with bread to sop up all the yummy juices.  Everyone liked it and I can't wait to see what my hubby thinks of it.  He is working second shift tonight so he missed it, but I am sure it will be just as good reheated.

This meal was so hearty and comforting.  It's just what I needed today.  I wasn't feeling to well today and it really hit the spot.  The other plus is it makes extra that is easy to freeze!