Goulash Soup (Gulaschsuppe)

I love this soup. It is great as is or it can serve as a launching point by adding veggies of your choice (I'm looking at you parsnips!) I've been using Target's stew meat that comes in 1 or 1.5 lb packages. I only have to cut up some of the pieces for my preferred size. Cut as you see fit. You are, after all, the one who adds panache to your goulash.
You will be building up fond on the bottom of the pot on and off as you add ingredients. This is totally normal.

• 1.5 - 2.0 lb stew meat cut into 1/2 inch pieces & fat removed (or start with your own chuck roast and cut up yourself)
• 1 1/2 - 2 medium onions halved at equator and sliced pole to pole. 
• 2 garlic cloves minced or pressed
• 2 tablespoons of sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of hot Hungarian paprika (or equal measure cayenne)
• 1/2 teaspoon of thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of marjoram
• 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds
• 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 cup of petite diced tomatoes (with or without juice, up to you)
• 6 cups of cold water
• 1.5 tablespoons beef broth base (Beyond Bouillon) 
• 1-3  liberal dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
• Salt and Pepper to taste through the cooking process
• Sour cream for garnish (optional)

1. In a dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat, brown the beef in batches and remove to bowl. 
2. Sauté onions in same pot till softened. Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.  
3. Return beef to pot with onions and reduce heat to medium. 
4. Sprinkle in both sweet and hot paprika and/or cayenne if using. Stir and cook together for 1 - 2 minutes. 
5. Sprinkle in flour, thyme, marjoram and caraway seeds. Stir to coat evening and cook for 1 - 2 minutes. 
6. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste. Pour in cold water and  beef base. 
7. Scrape bottom of pot to remove anything that's stuck. Add Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
8. Garnish with sour cream and serve with bread.

Poorly plated photo

Cleanup is super easy. Just the items below and the dutch oven. 

I'll be adding some parsnips and maybe carrots off and on to change this up. 

Clean up is a breeze!