Hungarian Mushroom Soup (Gombaleves)
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
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2 Tbsp butter or oil
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1 medium onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 lb (450 g) mushrooms, sliced (white button, cremini, or mixed)
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1 tsp sweet paprika (Hungarian if possible)
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½ tsp smoked paprika (optional for depth)
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3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
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1 cup sour cream
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2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Fresh parsley or dill for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
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Sauté vegetables
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In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
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Add onions and cook until soft, 4–5 minutes.
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Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Cook mushrooms & paprika
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Add sliced mushrooms and cook 5–7 minutes until they release moisture and start to brown.
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Stir in paprika (and smoked paprika if using) to coat mushrooms.
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Add broth
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Pour in the broth and bring to a gentle boil.
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Reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes.
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Prepare sour cream mixture
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In a small bowl, mix sour cream and flour (if using) until smooth.
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Temper by adding a few tablespoons of hot soup to the sour cream, then stir back into the pot to prevent curdling.
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Simmer & season
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Simmer 5 more minutes until soup thickens slightly.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve
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Garnish with fresh parsley or dill.
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Optional: serve with crusty bread or a dollop of extra sour cream.
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🌟 Pro Tips
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Creaminess: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, but temper carefully.
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Mushroom variety: Mix cremini, shiitake, or portobello for a deeper flavor.
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Make ahead: Soup tastes even better after a few hours or overnight; reheat gently.
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Spice level: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for heat.
🔄 Variations
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Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth; skip meat additions.
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Thicker soup: Add ½ cup cooked rice or small pasta like orzo.
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Rustic version: Slice mushrooms thickly and leave more broth for a chunky style.
This is the classic, cozy Hungarian mushroom soup that’s rich, comforting, and full of paprika flavor.
I can also provide a quick 30-minute version that keeps it light but still creamy, perfect for weeknight dinners. Do you want me to do that?