Halászlé: The Hungarian fish soup worth turning your nose towards

Hungarian cuisine is mainly associated with lángos and goulash, but their halászlé soup is truly a masterpiece. It is filling, warming, and tastes so good that it will convince even those who have so far turned their noses up at fish soup.

Halászlé is a true symbol of Hungarian cuisine, especially in the regions where access to fresh fish is easier. As is typical for Hungarian soup, paprika and onions are the base ingredients besides fish. The rest of the additions vary by region, similar to how every housewife makes chicken soup differently. It's a nice diversion from classic soups and will remind you of the holiday atmosphere of fish delicacies.

Hungarian cooks have been preparing this soup for centuries in a bogrács, a cast-iron cauldron hung over a fire. Thanks to this, halászlé gains its unique taste and aroma. The base, of course, is fish. It must be fresh and of the highest quality, mostly carp, but cod and hake also work well.

Whether it's by the Tisza, the Danube, or Lake Balaton, each region has its own unique interpretation of this soup. Some add tomatoes, in other places potatoes, and there are also versions with pasta. This soup doesn't get boring quickly.

Ingredients:

                            
• 800 grams of cod, hake or carp fillet,
• 1.2 litres of vegetable or fish stock,
• 2 yellow bell peppers,
• 2 red bell peppers,
• 1 green bell pepper,
• 3 potatoes,
• 2 carrots,
• 3 onions,
• 3 garlic cloves,
• 1 tin of diced tomatoes,
• 2 teaspoons hot paprika,
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika,
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika,
• 3 tablespoons of oil,
• salt and pepper to taste.

Additionally:

• parsley leaves.

Preparation:

1. Cut the fillets into medium-sized cubes and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Sauté the onions with the garlic in hot oil until translucent. Add the chopped vegetables and spices. Sauté until tender.
3. Pour the stock over the vegetables and add the tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes.
4. Add the fish pieces to the soup and cook until tender and the protein is set.

Serve the ready soup hot, sprinkled with fresh parsley leaves. Enjoy your meal!