Lebbencsleves (Lebbencs Soup)
Description
Lebbencsleves is a hearty Hungarian soup that combines the smoky richness of bacon with the earthy depth of paprika and fresh vegetables. This dish features handmade egg noodles, known as lebbencs, which are rolled thin, dried slightly, and broken into pieces to absorb the flavorful broth. The soup is built on a base of beef stock, tenderized by slow simmering with diced potatoes, onions, and green peppers. A touch of fresh tomato adds acidity to balance the savory elements. It is a comforting, rustic meal perfect for cold evenings or family gatherings. The combination of textures from the crispy bacon bits and soft noodles makes this a satisfying bowl of warmth.Ingredients
Directions
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Knead the flour, egg, and a pinch of salt together to form a hard, smooth dough.
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Roll the dough out very thinly on a floured surface.
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Let the rolled dough dry for about 2 hours until it resembles stiff blotting paper.
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Break the dried dough into small, irregular chip-sized pieces.
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Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch cubes.
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Place the potato cubes in a large pot with 2 quarts of beef broth and bring to a boil.
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Simmer the potatoes for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
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In a separate skillet, fry the diced smoked bacon over low heat until crisp.
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Remove the bacon cracklings from the skillet and set them aside, leaving the rendered fat.
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Add the minced onions and the broken dough pieces to the bacon fat in the skillet.
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Brown the onions and noodle pieces gently over low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently.
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Transfer the browned onion and noodle mixture into the pot with the potatoes and broth.
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Add the sliced green pepper, chopped tomato, paprika, reserved bacon cracklings, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pot.
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Cook everything gently, simmering until the potatoes and noodle pieces are fully cooked, which should take another 5-10 minutes.
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Taste the soup and adjust the salt level as needed before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 147.9kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 3.0g5%
- Saturated Fat 0.9g5%
- Cholesterol 93.2mg32%
- Sodium 31.6mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 23.1g8%
- Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
- Sugars 0.4g
- Protein 6.2g13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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