Bowl of Lecsó - Peppers with Tomato
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Lecsó - Peppers with Tomato


Hungary   -   Lecsó
Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 4 side
**
1 hr
Yes		 Pronounced LEH-choh, this delicious preparation is a basic Hungarian recipe. It is made fresh as a side dish or light main dish, used as an ingredient in recipes.
In the home this recipe is often canned in season for use in the winter, or can be frozen. See also Variations. If you must have it vegetarian or kosher, I suggest Avocado oil in place of Bacon Fat - not at all the same, but such deprivation is your own choice.

1
1
6
2
2
2
1
#
#
oz
oz
T
t
t
Hungarian Peppers (1)  
Tomatoes, ripe
Onion
Bacon, smoked (2)
Bacon fat
Paprika (3)
Salt
Prep:   -   (20 min)
  1. Cap and core PEPPERS. Cut into lengthwise strips about 1/2 inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long.
  2. Scald TOMATOES in boiling water, quench in cold water and peel. Quarter them lengthwise and slice crosswise about 1/2 inch thick.
  3. Chop ONION fine.
  4. Dice BACON fairly small.
Run:   -   (40 min)
  1. In a spacious sauté pan fry Bacon gently until it starts to render fat.
  2. Stir in Bacon Fat and Onions. Fry over moderate heat stirring until Onions are translucent.
  3. Stir in Peppers and fry stirring for about 7 minutes, then stir in Tomatoes, Paprika and Salt. Cover and simmer until peppers are tender, about 20 minutes.
  4. Check seasoning and serve - or set aside for use in a recipe.
NOTES:

  1. Hungarian Peppers:

      These are long yellow-green peppers with almost no heat. For details see our Hungarian Peppers page.

  2. Bacon:

      For Hungarian recipes, chunks or blocks of bacon are presumed. I have also used a good brand of "ends and pieces", which are thick enough to dice.

  3. Paprika

      Please, Please, use real Hungarian Sweet Paprika, not that sawdust flavored stuff they sell in the supermarkets. Hungarian has much better flavor and a much more intense red color.

  4. Variations:

      Lescó is also made from ripe (orange or red) sweet peppers, and sometimes hotter peppers (or a mix). For a more substantial dish smoked sausage (similar to Polish kielbasa) or frankfurters are sliced about 1/4 inch thick added for the last 10 minutes or so. It may be served with eggs mixed in at the end, or topped with a fried egg. Today, Lescó is sometimes made with oil, even in Hungary. I suggest Avocado oil for its richness.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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