{"id":"lecso_bc401dc56e","slug":"lecso-hungarian-vegetable-stew","title":"Lecsó (Hungarian Vegetable Stew)","description":"A vibrant and comforting Eastern European vegetable ragout made primarily from sweet peppers, tomatoes, and onions. This versatile dish can be enjoyed as a main course with bread or as a side dish for grilled meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 large yellow onions, diced","name":"Yellow Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"large yellow","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"8 Hungarian wax peppers (or bell peppers), sliced into strips","name":"Bell Pepper","quantity":8,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":8,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced into strips","notes":"Hungarian wax peppers preferred","group":"vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped","name":"Tomato","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"ripe","group":"vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 tablespoons vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"fat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika","name":"Paprika","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powder","notes":"sweet Hungarian","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 teaspoon sugar (optional)","name":"Sugar","quantity":4,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"helps balance tomato acidity","group":"seasoning","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until translucent and slightly golden, about 8-10 minutes.","group":"cooking","title":"Heat the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"cooking"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Stir in the sliced peppers and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until they begin to soften.","group":"cooking","title":"Stir in the sliced peppers and continue","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Remove the pot from the heat briefly and stir in the paprika. This prevents the paprika from burning and becoming bitter.","group":"cooking","title":"Remove the pot from the heat briefly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, and sugar. Return to medium-low heat. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the tomatoes have broken down into a sauce.","group":"cooking","title":"Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, and sugar","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.","group":"serving","title":"Taste and adjust seasoning","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"serving"}],"notes":"Traditional Lecsó is often made with Hungarian wax peppers (yellow peppers). If you can't find them, use a mix of yellow and orange bell peppers for a similar sweetness. For a non-vegetarian version, you can add sliced smoked sausage or bacon at the start with the onions.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Hungarian"]},"course":["main","side"],"cookingMethod":["saute","simmer"],"equipment":["Large pot or deep skillet","Knife","Cutting board","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"serving","note":"Approximately 1.5 liters of stew"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Lecsó tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat until bubbling."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flecso_bc401dc56e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f1b61b8c-cc4b-4b96-b0d9-e0311762989d","imageAlt":"Lecsó (Hungarian Vegetable Stew) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["peppers","stew","vegetable","traditional","hungarian","healthy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Lecsó (Hungarian Vegetable Stew)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:07:46.915Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:07:46.915Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_943b7108be","slug":"buckwheat-porridge-hrechana-kasha","title":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha)","description":"A nutritious, nutty, and comforting Eastern European staple. This fluffy buckwheat porridge is a healthy, gluten-free dish that is perfect for breakfast or as a hearty side.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_943b7108be%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7dd38cb8-7bb4-48fd-b6e8-db1d1eed0a49","imageAlt":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","gluten-free","grains","comfort food","ukrainian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2de0ebda17","slug":"classic-fried-eggs-yayechnya","title":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya)","description":"A simple and hearty Eastern European breakfast staple, perfectly fried in butter until the whites are set and the yolks remain golden and runny.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":1,"cookMinutes":4,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2de0ebda17%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0988b3e6-a90f-4431-b861-ac88053e5f08","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya) — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","breakfast","quick","protein","ukrainian","low carb"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"ovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b","slug":"creamy-oatmeal-ovsena-kasa","title":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša)","description":"A comforting and nourishing Eastern European breakfast staple made with rolled oats simmered in milk and water, traditionally served with a knob of butter and honey.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":8},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Slovak"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f129ec12-1f3d-4b53-b747-f42d48dcf3a2","imageAlt":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša) — recipe cover","tags":["oatmeal","porridge","healthy","warm breakfast","easy breakfast","slovak"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}