By Robin Young and the Colorado Department of Agriculture | PREVIEW Columnist
Winter is in full swing and, though welcome, the brisk temperatures and frequent snowstorms are making us feel a little chilled. Not to worry; the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Colorado Proud has you covered to keep you warm with this classic, “Hearty Colorado Goulash.”
This comforting and easy one-pot meal is a medley of carbs, protein, fats and fiber that will feed you for days.
The history of goulash is a long one, dating back to agriculture in ninth century Hungary. Originally eaten by Magyar shepherds, the stew would be made before shepherds set out with their flocks. It was prepared as a portable stock of food by slowly cooking cut-up meats with onions and other flavorings until the liquids had been absorbed. The stew was then dried in the sun and packed into bags made of sheep stomachs. At mealtime, water was added to a portion of the meat to reconstitute it into a soup or stew (Britannica). For our 21st century purposes, let’s substitute the sheep stomach for a stock pot and add some new, delicious flavors.
Our goulash features the robust addition of Colorado beef, which is a great source of 10 essential nutrients that support a heart-healthy lifestyle including protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins, according to the Colorado Beef Council. Look for the Colorado Proud logo at your local butcher shop or on packaging in the supermarket. Or, check out the Colorado Beef’s Directory to find a rancher near you. And while we suggest peppers and onions for this recipe — as they are particularly tasty and easy to find during the winter months — you can add just about any of your favorite Colorado Proud produce or spices to enhance the flavors.
Each month, the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different ag commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown and raised in the state. For February, Chef Jason Morse brings us roasted Colorado beef, vegetables and pork.
“Enjoy Hearty Colorado Goulash as another satisfying and filling way to create an old favorite. Happy cooking!” Morse said.
Hearty Colorado Goulash
Recipe by Chef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C.
Yield: Serves 6 people
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of bacon fat
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
2 cloves of minced or crushed garlic
1 large green bell pepper, diced small
2 pounds of Colorado ground beef, 80/20 fat
2 15-ounce cans of tomato sauce
2 15-ounce cans of petite diced tomatoes
4 cups of beef stock
4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons of kosher or maldon salt (adjust as needed)
2 tablespoons of fresh ground black pepper (adjust as needed)
2-4 tablespoons of smoked, sweet paprika
2 bay leaves, broken in half
3 cups of uncooked elbow pasta, mezze rigatoni or trottole
Directions:
Wash all tools prior to use.
Clean and sanitize all cutting boards and prep surfaces prior to use.
Read all manufacturer’s instructions before using grills, starters and any cooking tools.
Cooking Instructions:
Add bacon fat and heat for 30 seconds.
Add onions and peppers and saute for 3 minutes.
Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
Add ground beef and cook until 3/4 browned.
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, stock, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.
Stir to combine and bring to a simmer (about 6-8 minutes).
Adjust seasoning if needed.
Add pasta and stir in to combine.
Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is cooked to your desired doneness.
Scoop into bowls and serve with sliced bread.
Visit ColoradoProud.org for more ideas and a complete list of recipes. — Colorado Department of Agriculture.
4-H soup fundraiser
4-H members are taking orders now for Frontier Soups. These dried soup mixes are a great time saver, all are gluten-free and are delicious. With flavors like chicken and rice, tortilla soup, corn chowder and more, it’s easy to support Archuleta County 4-H. Soup mixes are $10 each and will arrive around the beginning of March. Find a local 4-H member today or call the office to have one sent your way.
Upcoming events
Please visit our Facebook page and website to register for the following events.
March 2 — Livestock and Forage Growers Online Update. A Western Slope outlook.
March 11 — Landowners workshop. Extension building, 9 a.m. to noon.
March 18 — Seed Class and Swap, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered monthly by the CSU Extension office, generally on the second Monday and Wednesday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 246-5931 to register.
Visit online
Visit us on the Web at https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/ or like us on Facebook and get more information: https://www.facebook.com/CSUARCHCTY and https://www.facebook.com/ArchuletaCounty4H.
