Paprika is a spice bursting with rich color and flavor, which can range from sweet to fiery hot. As part of the chili pepper family, paprika is milder in taste and produced from peppers ripened to redness and ground to a fine powder. Intimately associated with Hungarian cuisine such as paprikash and goulash, paprika is also used in spiced sausages, such as Spanish chorizo. The flavors vary from country to country, but more often in the U.S., sweet paprika is used as a garnish for color. If you’re making dishes with dressing or sauces, paprika acts as a good emulsifier as it blends with oil and vinegar giving it a smooth texture. One little known fact about paprika is that it is high in vitamin C and is an excellent source of beta-carotein. Try these simple Hungarian recipes:

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

8 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on

Salt and pepper to taste

1 large onion, minced

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons sweet paprika

1/2 to 1 cup water

1/2 cup sour cream

Parsley for garnish

Wash and pat dry chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a large pot, sauté onions in oil until translucent. Take pot off the heat* and stir in paprika until smooth. Add the chicken pieces, skin side down, and coat with paprika-onion mixture. Add ½ cup water, stir, and return pot to stove. Bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until chicken is tender, turning once. Add water as needed to always have about ½ cup of liquid to braise (not boil) the chicken. When chicken is cooked, remove from heat; mix in sour cream to paprika sauce. Serve with nokedli (egg dumplings) or your favorite starch. Makes 4 servings.

*It is very important to take the pot off the heat while adding the paprika or the paprika will become very bitter.

Approximate Nutrient Analysis per serving (not including salt to taste nor nokedli): 530 calories, 42 g fat, 13 g saturated fat, 170 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 34 g protein

Korozott (Paprika Cream Cheese Spread)

8 ounces cream cheese, soften

¼ cup butter, soften

2 teaspoons sweet paprika

¼ medium onion, finely minced

1 clove garlic, finely minced

½ teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Parsley for garnish

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Serve with crackers or toast. Makes 1 ¼ cups.

Approximate Nutrient Analysis per tablespoon serving (not including salt to taste): 60 calories, 6 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 20 mg cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

More Hawaiian Electric Co. receipes are available at www.heco.com.