We Make Lidia Bastianich's Goulash

With the unseasonably warm weather this week, we've almost forgotten the cold winter that waits around the corner. No matter. As summer turned to fall, and September to October, a familiar chill started to surface. Seventy degree days became fifty degree days, and that, according to us, is the perfect time to test cold weather recipes. So as we dust off sweaters and start wearing pajamas to bed, let's also get the oven on, rearrange the kitchen, and make way for braises, stews, roasts, dark beer, red wine, squash, pumpkins, gords of all shapes and sizes, cauliflower, cardoons, brussel sprouts, and the bounty of other veggies that turn a cold shoulder to freezing soil.

After the fun and success we had with Lidia Bastianich's Malloreddus al Ragu, we thought we'd try another recipe of her's: Goulash. The dish is centuries-old, and of Hungarian origin, but is enjoyed in Friuli because the region was once part of Austro-Hungarian Empire. Because of this eastern European influence, Friuli is the only region in Italy where you'll find paprika, and that's what gives this dish its unique, signature smokiness.

We made the recipe last week, when it still felt like fall, and highly recommend you do the same when it gets cold out again. It's cheap, easy, and deeply satisfying. Here's what you'll need.

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