World Flavors Cookbook

Húsleves (Hungarian Chicken Soup)

A slow-cooked, crystal-clear chicken or beef broth with root vegetables and thin noodles, a Sunday staple.

Cuisine: Hungary

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken or 1kg beef with bones
• 4 carrots, 2 parsnips, 1 celery root
• 1 onion (with skin for color)
• 1 green bell pepper, 1 tomato
• Black peppercorns, salt
• Fine vermicelli noodles (Cérnametélt)

Instructions

1. Place meat in cold water and bring to a very slow simmer.
2. Skim the foam carefully to keep the broth clear.
3. Add whole root vegetables, onion, pepper, tomato, and peppercorns.
4. Simmer on the lowest heat for at least 3 hours (do not boil).
5. Strain the broth through a fine sieve.
6. Cook noodles separately and serve in the hot broth with cooked vegetables and meat.