Just like the song, it is easy to begin a new day when you feel good. I’m almost 80 years old and sometimes I don’t feel so good. Today I feel great and very ambition. Ready to go to work. I bet you like to know what kind of work I do. I’m an old chef and I test Rescued Cooking Recipes. We receive e-mail from people all over the country with their old favorite heritage recipes and stories. Recipes that have been pass down in the family for five or six generations. We get all kind of request from finding their favorite lost recipe or to make up one from their taste and memories.

Today I have a request from Cyndi in Scottsdale: “There is a wonderful unique recipe from the 70’s that I let a friend borrow to copy. She was in the process of moving and she lost my recipe and I have never been able to find it again. The recipe was for Hungarian Goulash, and the ingredients were primarily stewing beef, onion and paprika. I have yet to find one that resembles it. I will treasure it if you could find this recipe for me.”

Well Cyndi, I’m not Hungarian but I certainly will give my very best to find your lost recipe or make up one to your likening. I may even give it a touch of Italian flavor adding some garlic and wine okay? Now before I put my apron on, and get to work, I like to have a fresh hot cup of coffee to start my day. Please join me and together we will make the Hungarian Goulash.

But before we start cooking, we need to prep. Have all the ingredients ready to go. This is very important to have everything you need on hand. It will save you a lot of stress. We want to make cooking easy, fun and enjoyable.

Now we are ready to cook. We need a heavy non-sticking four-quart pot. On high heat we add the oil and the basil leaves. Next we add the meat to the hot oil and let the meat brown for 3-4 minutes. Add wine to the meat and simmer on for 5-10 minutes on low heat to absorb the flavor. Now we add the onions, garlic, paprika, pepper, salt, and one can of beef broth. Cover and simmer on low heat for one hour and 15 minutes, adding broth or water from time to time if needed. Now we add the potatoes and more broth to look wet and brothy like stew. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes more. Now we are ready to drop the dumpling dough in it 1 ½ inches apart. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Wow! I can smell the aroma and I’m very hungry. It tastes delicious. My family loves it and I hope you like it too. Ciao, Arrivederci until next time, when you join me for another Rescued Recipe.

Love, Momma