Paprika

Garlic

The ingredients used in Hungarian cooking are anything but exotic, but your choice of brand and/or type can effect the outcome.

Here are my preferences for tasty and consistent results.

The one seasoning that is synonymous with Hungarian cooking is paprika. Available in different intensities-- from mild to sharp to sweet--my personal preference is for the more common sweet variety.

While you can purchase this seasoning under many national or store labels, I highly recommend imported Hungarian brands. Commercial varieties can not and do not offer the same freshness and quality so essential to Hungarian recipes.

If paprika is the Hungarian seasoning of choice, then garlic is the close second. The only suggestion I can make is to by it fresh. Avoid garlic in a jar, minced or otherwise. Processed garlic can only offer muted flavor in exchange for convenience.