Hungarian Food
Ingredients in Hungarian Food
Hungarian food is not particularly spicy; however, paprika seems to find itself into the majority of Hungarian foods. Paprika grows naturally in Hungary, especially in the east of the country which accounts for its liberal use in Hungarian food. Sour cream is another ingredient that is very popular in Hungarian food.
Hungarian Food and Meat
Most Hungarians are meat eaters and it would be highly unusual for meat not to feature in any Hungarian meal. The majority of meat in Hungarian food is either fried or baked in breadcrumbs and often forms the most substantial part of any meal in Hungary. The most popular type of meat eaten in Hungary is pork, although beef, chicken, goose and duck are both included regularly in Hungarian food. Despite being land locked, fish is also present in Hungarian food, thanks largely to the fresh water catches from Lake Balaton, which is a popular vacation area of Hungary.
Hungarian Food and Health Issues
You don’t need to be particularly worried about hygiene if you are eating out in Hungary, as the general standard is quite good and you should be safe. Typical Hungarian food, however, is not very healthy since it relies so heavily of fried meat. Traditional lard has been replaced by vegetable oil in most Hungarian households and restaurants, and fresh green vegetables are becoming a part of Hungarian meals.
Ethnic Food in Hungary
You can find a wide selection of ethnic restaurants from all over the world in Budapest, such as Italian, Greek, Turkish, Chinese, Mexican, but even Thai and Middle Eastern places.
Hungarian Food & Daily Meals
Hungarians usually don’t eat a large breakfast. Breakfast in Hungary usually just involves a quick cup of coffee with a pastry. Traditionally lunch is the largest meal in Hungary, which starts with a soup, then comes the main course that usually contains meat and a pickled side salad, which is followed by dessert and coffee. Lunch in Hungary is usually eaten at around 1pm. Supper is traditionally smaller: a few sandwiches with tomatoes or paprika, and a light tea with lemon and sugar. Since these days most people are away from home at lunch time during the week, eating habits are changing in Hungary, lunch becoming something lighter at work and dinner becoming the main course that the family can enjoy together. Week-day dinners are still a lot smaller deal in Hungary, than in North America for example.
The gentlest, most accomodating, modest, self-effacing people I have ever met. I came here just before Xmas 2007 and met a wonderful girl called Maria who, in just under 72 hours had taken me sight-seeing (taken two days off work,) introduced me to a language school where I am now working teaching English for E.S.O.L. She also got my conection to the mobile network and found me somewhere to live for next to nothing. When I asked her some months later why she did all that for me (and, believe me, there was no romantic interest on her side,) she simply replied, ” I knew you were sad in Ireland and I liked you.”
The students, in particular are very understated. I like all of them, love some and am in love with one. Just being with them is therapeutic. I love to lose myself in their world of charm, warmth, humour and knowledge. We talk about self-esteem, emotional intelligence – confidence building etc. The lovely exotic people are the last to realise how emotionally intelligent they really are…They seem curiously lacking in confidence and self-worth. Have they been beaten down so much they have no fight left? My own people have reacted quite the opposite way to being oppressed ( typically by themselves – read James Joyce.) We Irish are, quite possibly the most arrogant nation you could imagine.
The woman I am most drawn to seems to appear as three seperate entities;
How she sees herself, how I see her and how she really is. There is a massive discrepancy between each persona. I just wonder how they get through life…
As a former psychotherapist, I am reconsidering putting that hat back on again or trying to incorporate “a little light therapy” into my English classes. Paul.