Lecso is a beloved Hungarian tapas-style dish that combines the vibrant flavours of peppers, tomatoes, and onions in a delicious stew. This hearty dish is a staple in many Eastern European kitchens and has many variations. Whether enjoyed on its own or as a flavourful topping for meats or bread, lecso is a versatile and comforting meal that warms the body and the soul.
Surely making lecso requires minimal effort and just a few ingredients, which is why it’s on my budget recipes list. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
What do you need to make this Hungarian tomato tapas
Ingredients:
Essentials:
- Oil or butter
- Onion
- Tomatoes (fresh or tinned)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional:
- Bell peppers or green paprika
- Potatoes, to make A la Patas bravas
- Green beans to make Fagiolini in Umido
- Chorizo style sausage
- German style sausage
- Eggs
- Chillies to make it spicy
- Sugar or sugar substitution
NOTE:
Everyone has their own taste when it comes to adding sugar to tomato tapas. Sometimes, it can depend on the type of tomatoes used.
The amount of each ingredient doesn’t matter to make it perfect; it depends on your preferences. If you like peppers, add more peppers. If you are not a fan of onions, use just a small one and slice it very tiny. Without adding sausages, it’ll become an excellent vegetarian dish. You can also make vegan tomato stew if you use just oil and vegetables. If you like it spicy, add some chillies.
How to cook Lecso-Hungarian tomato tapas
1/ Slice onion into thin or medium slices.
2/ Heat the oil in the pan on medium to high heat.
3/ Then add sliced onions and fry for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
4/ Wash and chop the tomatoes or add chopped or plum tomatoes to the onion. Cook for 5 min, add the remaining vegetables (if using) and cook for 5-10 minutes or on medium heat.
5/ Stir occasionally so the vegetable doesn’t stick to the bottom of the frying pan.
6/Add salt and pepper. Add chillies if using.
7/ Finally, you can add German or Hungarian sausage, frankfurters, or chorizo if you like. However, you can also omit meat completely.
NOTE:
You can mix and match your leso ingredients as you like. For example, if you like tomatoes, add more tomatoes, or if you like cooked peppers, add more peppers.
Fancy more onions? No problem, add more onions.
You can also turn it into a Spanish tapas dish. Add cooked potatoes.
Hungarian lesco tapas is versatile and still delicious, whatever you add or not add.
What can you eat with lecso
Anything you would eat with a tomato-based vegetable dish.
When I cook lecso for lunch, I add eggs and sausage and eat it with a slice of KETO RYE-STYLE BREAD WITH FIBRE.
Lecso is nice, warm or cold.
My friend, however, makes lecso with only a few peppers and a small onion and serves it as tapas, among other little dishes.
Once you taste this dish, you find the options for serving it endless.
How to store lecso?
Store lecso in the fridge for up to 5 days without eggs and sausage.
You can also preserve lecso in jars for up to a year.
How can you do it?
Fry the onion in the oil until translucent. Add sliced peppers and cook for 10 minutes. Then, add peeled and chopped tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes on medium heat. Add salt to taste.
In the meantime, wash the jars and lids in hot water. You can also use sterilising tablets if you like.
When you pour hot lecso into the jars, close them firm immediately, cover them with a towel, and leave them to cool; this helps the lids stay airtight.
Alternatively, put the closed jars in a warm water bath and let them shimmer for 10 min.
You can find more information on how to preserve lecso here.
Preserved lecso jars can be used for other meals, such as Beef Goulash, traditional Hungarian Goulash, or Chicken with gnocchi.
If you liked this Hungarian tomato tapas, try some other meals.
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LECSO-HUNGARIAN TOMATO TAPAS
Cooking Tools
- skillet or deeper frying pan
- Chopping board
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Oil - or butter
- 1 medium Onion - (cut into thin slices)
- 1 large Green pepper - or Hungarian green/yellow paprika
- 1 tin Chopped tomatoes - or 4 large fresh tomatoes-chopped
- pinch Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Erythritol - or sweetener of your choice (optional)
- 2 whole Eggs - optional
- 1 small Hungarian sausage - (or chorizo style sausage or 2 frankfurters) optional
Instructions
- Cut the onion in half and half again, and slice thinly.
- Heat the oil in the skillet, add sliced onion. Stir fry until the onion is translucent.1 tbsp Oil, 1 medium Onion
- Slice peppers and add to skillet.1 large Green pepper
- Add chopped tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.1 tin Chopped tomatoes, pinch Sea Salt, 1/4 tsp Ground black pepper
- Cook at medium heat for about 20 min, stirring occasionally. Add sausage or frankfurters if used, after 10 min.1 small Hungarian sausage
- Taste and add erythritol if desired.1/4 tsp Erythritol
- If using, add eggs and stir until fully cooked.2 whole Eggs