Fisherman's soup facts for kids
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Halászlé
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| Type | Soup |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Hungary |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Fish (carp or mixed river fish), paprika, vegetables (red onions, green peppers, tomatoes) |
Fisherman's soup, also known as halászlé (say "HAH-lahs-lay"), is a super popular and spicy fish soup from Hungary. It's famous for its bright red color, which comes from lots of paprika. This tasty soup is usually made with carp or other river fish.
You'll find halászlé all over the Pannonian Plain, especially near the Danube and Tisza rivers. People of German descent who live there, called Donauschwaben, also love this soup. They call it Karpfensuppe. Because it uses so much hot paprika and sometimes even hot peppers, halászlé is one of the spiciest dishes in Europe!
Contents
How Fisherman's Soup is Made
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Making halászlé is a special process. First, a rich broth is made. This broth uses parts of the fish like heads, bones, skin, and fins. These are simmered for about two hours with vegetables such as red onions, green peppers, and tomatoes.
After cooking, the broth is strained to make it smooth. Just before serving, hot ground paprika is added. Then, thick pieces of carp, along with the fish's roe (eggs) and coral, are put into the boiling soup. These cook quickly, making the soup ready to enjoy.
Different Kinds of Halászlé
There are a few famous ways to make Fisherman's Soup:
- Szeged-style Fisherman's Soup: This version from Szeged uses a mix of fish. It often includes carp, catfish, sturgeon, and either pike or perch.
- Paks-style Fisherman's Soup: From Paks, this soup is special because it includes homemade, thin Hungarian noodles called csipetke.
- Baja-style Fisherman's Soup: In Baja, their soup is mostly carp (about 75%). It's served with homemade, thick noodles called gyufatészta.
Traditional Cooking Methods
Traditionally, fishermen cook this soup outdoors in big kettles over an open fire. First, chopped onions are fried in a little oil in the kettle until they turn golden. Then, ground paprika is added, and the kettle is filled with water.
Once the water boils, other seasonings like black pepper, white wine, vinegar, or tomato juice might be added. Finally, large pieces of fish are put in. Sometimes, whole fish, including their heads and tails, are added to the soup.
The soup is usually made with a mix of fish. The most common types are carp, catfish, perch, and pike. Remember, it's known for being very hot and spicy!
When cooked outdoors, the soup is often served right from the kettle. People usually eat it with fresh bread.
Fisherman's Soup in Culture
Cooking competitions for halászlé are very popular. These events often happen at fairs along riverbanks. It's a fun way for people to show off their soup-making skills!
When you eat halászlé, it's common to drink white wine with it. A popular choice is Riesling. Sometimes, the wine is mixed with soda water to make a bubbly drink called fröccs in Hungarian.
Halászlé is also a very important dish for Christmas Eve dinner in Hungary. It's a warm and comforting meal that many families enjoy during the holidays.
