Paprikaš is a traditional Eastern European dish that features meat and vegetables in a rich, paprika-flavored sauce. For a plant-based recipe, you can make this without meat and load up the veggies!
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 small tomatoes, diced
- 6-7 small/medium potatoes, chopped
- 2-3 tbsp (50-80 g) Balkan Seasoning Mix
- 2-3 tbsp (50-80 g) Balkan Sweet Paprika
- 1 tbsp (17 g) Salt, plus more to taste
- Black pepper
- 3 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin on)
- 6-7 cups (1.5 L) of water or more
- Vegetable Oil (or oil of choice)
- 1 tbsp of flour
- Parsley for garnish
Knedle/Dumplings:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp (23 g) flour
- 1 tsp (6 g) Balkan Seasoning Mix
Instructions
- In a large pot, add about 4 tablespoons of oil, onions, and carrots. Saute for about 5 min on medium heat until the carrots are soft and the onions are soft and translucent. Add in 1-2 tbsp of our Balkan Sweet Paprika to add some color and continue to stir.
- Add in the tomatoes and bell pepper and continue to saute another 2 min or until soft.
- Add in potatoes, 1 tbsp of salt, 1 tbsp of Balkan Seasoning Mix, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well. Add the chicken thighs to the vegetables and fill the pot with water. Add more Sweet Paprika as needed.
- Partially cover the pot and simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes. Stir every few min to prevent burning or sticking. After 30 min, check the meat and potatoes to ensure they have cooked through.
- To thicken the sauce, add a tbsp of flour with half a cup of water to a cup, mix and add into your pot (optional).
- Remember to taste! add more seasoning as needed to your liking. Reduce heat to low and continue simmering partially covered.
Dumplings:
- Whisk egg, add in the oil, flour, and Balkan Seasoning Mix. Add more flour if the mixture is too runny, the consistency should be similar to a thicker pancake batter.
- Dip a small spoon in vegetable oil (this will prevent sticking), scoop out about half a teaspoon of batter and slowly drop it into the broth. Continue this process.
- Gently stir and allow the strew to simmer for another 5 min or until the dumplings have doubled in size. Turn off the heat, and add your parsely garnish and serve hot straight out the pot.
Enjoy your traditional Balkan Paprikaš with the people you love most!