4 servings
Ingredients:
-
1 1/2 pounds extra lean ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
Ingredients:
-
1/4 pound bacon cut crosswise into thin strips
3 cups thinly sliced onions
3 tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
2 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram
1 cup white wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup sour cream
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the meat with salt, pepper, paprika and garlic. Using your hands gently mix until the ingredients are just incorporated, but don't over-mix which will result in a rubbery texture. Form into 4 oval shaped steaks, each about 3/4-1 inch thick. Set aside.
- To make the paprika sauce, cook bacon in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until the pieces just become brown and are turning crisp. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the fat and add the onions. Cover and cook and stir until the onions are quite soft and are beginning to color. Stir in the paprika until the onions are well coated. Add the white wine and marjoram and stir, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato paste and set aside to finish after you fry the steaks.
- Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat and fry the patties 2 at a time for about 3 minutes, turn and fry 2-3 minutes more. Reduce the heat and cook 2-3 minutes more per side or until your desired degree of doneness (when just firm the touch the steaks will be medium). Transfer steaks to a warm platter, cover loosely with foil and repeat for the remaining patties.
- Return to the paprika sauce by bringing to a boil and cooking until the sauce just turns syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from the fire and whisk in the sour cream (B-should they add the bacon back now too?). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce generously over each steak and serve.
Note: The key to making this a great dish is real Hungarian paprika that is fresh. If your paprika is more than a few months old, buy a new package. Otherwise the dish will lack flavor.
