Smoky Lentil Goulash

[Vivaroo]

Name of Recipe: Smoky Lentil Goulash

Number of People:4

Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic
1 onion peeled & quartered
splash of oil
2 carrots chopped
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp liquid smoke
1 tbsp vegetable stock concentrate
1 400g can whole tomatoes
semi-dried tomatoes, maybe about 10 pieces
1 tbsp sweet paprika powder
a few strips of lemon rind
pepper to taste
1 tbsp mixed herbs
1/2 tsp mixed spice
small head broccoli cut in florets
1 cup frozen beans
1 400g can lentils, rinsed & drained
handful of baby spinach

Preparation:
Chop garlic & onion 3 seconds on sp 5
Add dash of oil and saute for 3 minutes at Varoma temp on sp 1
Chop carrots 3 seconds on sp 5
Add vinegar, sugar, stock, liquid smoke, tomatoes, herbs & spices and cook 15 minutes 100^oC on Reverse + speed soft
Add broccoli & continue to cook further 10 minutes or until softened to taste, throw in the beans at some point.
Add lentils & baby spinach, stir to combine and serve with rice.

Tips/Hints:
I started off making EDC Hungarian Goulash, but didn't have many of the ingredients, so this what I had in the pantry/fridge thrown in.  I didn't measure all of the flavourings, just a splash here and a shake there, so you will make to suit your tastes.  I hope you enjoy my simple, economical, healthy, kids say it delicious, version of goulash and make it your own.
PS I've never tasted a real goulash so apologies if you're Hungarian

[judydawn]

Interesting ingredient there Vivaroo - liquid smoke.  Whatever is that and how do you get it to stay in the bowl without it rising and drifting off    Only joking    Seriously though, what is it and how/where do you buy it?

[Cuilidh]

I have never heard of the liquid smoke, either, although it does sound interesting - I would guess using a good smoky paprika would do the same job.

[Vivaroo]

I'm glad you asked about liquid smoke.  It's an ingredient I found popping up in American vegan recipes.  Made from wood smoke that's been captured in water and condensed.  It's very strong, you need only the tiniest measure to transform boring old lentils into something WOW. I found it for sale at a market stall from the Qld Veg Society.  If you can't find it locally call the society and they will happily post it to you:  http://www.vegsoc.org.au/product_list.asp?ProductID=70  

[Cuilidh]

Thanks, Vivaroo, I'll take a look at that.  What else have you used it in?

[Vivaroo]

Great in split pea soup, or any European bean type dish that might normally rely on smoky ham/bacon/sausage type flavor.
Also good in dips like babaganoush, muhammara - for that flame grilled taste to the vegetables if you don't have a flame.
Nice on sautéed mushrooms.   I'd say good in a bean burger too, although I haven't quite found the best recipe yet.

[em]

sounds nice. i saw that liquid smoke stuff at a global grocers we have in albury.  never tried it though

[faffa_70]

I think QJ uses liquid smoke occasionally too. I think I have seen it on the USA foods website.

[Cuilidh]

I found some this morning at Victoria Market here in Melbourne.

[Cuilidh]

Have just made this and found it a bit too sweet so will substitute some of the sweet paprika with smoky paprika (also, my liquid smoke didn't have a very strong taste so perhaps the smoky paprika will bring it out a bit more).  Also added a "skloosh" worcestershire sauce and the whole dish was very tasty.  Definitely looking forward to doing this again with my wee tweeks.  I think this will become one of my freezer staples.

PS  Bet you didn't know that skloosh is a precise measurement of any sort of volume of any sort of liquid or solid!!!

[johnro]

Previously I have purchased both liquid and powdered hickory smoke from Misty Gully online - check out their other products so interesting!!!!!

[Cornish Cream]

PS  Bet you didn't know that skloosh is a precise measurement of any sort of volume of any sort of liquid or solid!!!

I use that measurement in my cooking all the time Marina

[Lellyj]

Thanks for the info about liquid smoke.  I love the lentil dishes I cook for my vego children, but really miss a little bit of bacon or pancetta here or there.  Will  be on the lookout for liquid smoke now.

[Bonsai]

I've bought liquid smoke before in Peth at Kakulas Sisters (Fremantle), and I think mexican food shops might have it as well. I like it in marinades for BBQ meat and it does add a 'certain something' to a lot of dishes. You do only need a small amount