It has been a while since I have talked about the characters from my horror novel Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1. Sam Sadlowski is one of three founding members of the IPS, the Investigative Paranormal Society, a ghost and supernatural investigation group, that is central to my book.
Sam is a retired homicide detective and an avid cook. But he doesn’t do any of “that high-class stuff served on a plate too large and a portion too small,” as he would say. A proud descendant of Polish and Hungarians, he loved the peasant food he grew up with. He loves hearty food and plenty of it.
One of his favorite foods was a meal his mother made often when he was growing up. Here is his version of Chicken Paprikash:
(Photo By Liz French, 2016)
Ingredients:
2 pounds chicken, either breast or thighs
2 green bell peppers
2 large onions
1 pound button mushrooms
1 can crushed tomatoes
paprika — regular or hot depending on the level of desired heat
fresh ground black pepper
garlic
pinch of salt (optional)
sour cream
either dumplings or wide noodles
To prepare:
Use a large dutch oven, preferably of cast iron.
Boil the chicken for a few minutes to begin the cooking process, then transfer to the dutch oven that has a hot layer of cooking oil in it that has been heavily coated with paprika, so that the oil looks red. Be sure to pat the chicken dry first with a paper towel to avoid oil splattering.
While the chicken is searing, on both sides, chop the peppers and onions. Clean the mushrooms with cold water and a paper towel.
After the chicken is seared, turn the heat to low or simmer.
Add the peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
Add the seasoning.
Add the crushed tomatoes.
Add two-four tablespoons sour cream, and mix completely.
Let simmer in the dutch oven for 1 & 1/2 to 2 hours.
Cook the noodles or dumplings.
To Serve:
Serve over noodles or dumplings in a large bowl.
Slick thick pieces of good bread to place on the side.
Sam prefers to drink Hungarian red wine: egri bikaver, which translates loosely as “bull’s blood” with the meal.
If you enjoy hearty meals, give this a try. You will probably enjoy Sam’s recipe.
It looks yummy😄 I bet it’s delicious too. Thanks for sharing🍁🌾🍃🍂
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Yes, it is! And you are very welcome!
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Character development served with a favorite recipe. That’s classy!
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Thank you!
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Think I’m going to have to keep this one in mind.
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It is very good!
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Yum… wonder how it tastes without the sour cream.
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It would be fine. The sour cream gives the sauce richness.
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Cool post! A recipe of one of your characters! Very innovative. 🙂
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Thank you!
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🙂
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I know paprika is a very good Hungarian dish. My Dad loves it very much. Of course, with Hungarian red wine. 🙂
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Yes, the wine is a very good drink to have with it.
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Thank you!!
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You’re welcome!
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Hmm, looks good!
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Thank you!
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That’s going the extra mile. 🙂
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Thank you!
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Now you’ve done it. I’ve gone and drooled on my keyboard. Watch what you say to old people, ok?
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LOL … I will try to remember.
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Yum! I definitely need to try this out ^-^
But that’s awesome how you tied the recipe in with your character. Your novel sounds cool (horror and supernatural are my favorites!)
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Thank you so much for the kind words.
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Sounds yummy. We have bitter cold weekend on the way, so I may try this.
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Please let me know what you think of it.
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Will do.
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Me hungry!
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LOL
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Cooking away as I write this. Smells delicious.
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Wonderful!
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