Carp or catfish is necessary for this recipe. No saltwater fish can replace that uniquely muddy, murky flavor of a lake beast.
Rendering out the pork fat to cook the fish in, saving the crispy meaty bits to mix into the pasta.
Beautiful, bright red smoked paprika powder.
Super happy about how my first ever paprikás base turned out. Grandma would be proud.
Adding paprika to the minced and sauteed onions to make the paprikás base. Important to turn the heat off when doing so, as paprika burns quite easily.
Chopping up some creamy white smoked fatback
Adding my favorite ingredient, Hungarian sour cream (tejföl), to the paprika base and veggies to make things a bit more creamy.
Adding the fish back in to the paprika base.
Finely diced peppers and tomatoes go on top. Then leave to steam with the lid on for 20 minutes.
Adding the fish back into the creamier sauce..
Quickly pan frying the fish in the rendered pork fat.
Salting and flour dusting two large filets.
That Best Bite 