Hungarian Style Braised Tripe

Serves Four

The first time I was offered tripe, I said “no, thank you.” This happened again when I was offered it a second time. Each time the aroma intrigued me. Finally on the third time I tried a small sample. It was so tasty and tender that I tried another sample. Tripe is like trying your first clam or oyster, once you get use to the texture and flavor, you are hooked.

1 1/2 lbs Calves Tripe

1 cup finely diced onion

3 tbsp olive oil

1 Hungarian or banana pepper, cut into strips

1 1/2 tsp sweet Hungarian Paprika

Ground black pepper to taste

3/4 tsp Vegeta

6 whole peppercorns

1 Bay leaf

2 small, whole smoked ham hocks (Smoked neck bones will also do)

4 peeled potatoes, quartered and held in cold water

Wash tripe and place in a medium size pot.

Cover with water, add the bay leaf, 6 peppercorns and a 1/2 tsp of salt.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Drain through a colander, saving bay leaf and peppercorns.

Place tripe back in the pot and again cover with water. Add the bay leaf and peppercorns and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Drain tripe and discard bay leaf and peppercorns.

Cut tripe into thin strips, approximately 1/2 inch by 2 inches.

In a medium size pot, heat the oil. Add onion and Hungarian pepper strips. Simmer for about five minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Remove from fire and stir in the paprika, then add the tripe and mix well.

Cover tripe with water. Add the smoked bones, Vegeta and simmer for about 3 hours, making sure to replenish the water as it evaporates.

The tripe should be very tender, enough to cut with a fork.

A half hour before service, blanch the potatoes in salted water to tenderize. Do not overcook.

At service, place a few potatoes on a plate and spoon over the tripe with enough drippings to cover.

The bones can be served on the side or a piece on each plate.

Vegeta is an Eastern European all-purpose seasoning.

When I use Vegeta I omit salt, as Vegeta has salt in the ingredients.

For more info on Vegeta, see Vegeta posting.