Pepper Envy Soup

Hungarian Stuffed Pepper Soup

I know you've read Tell Tale Heart, haven't you? Well this is nothing like that. I swear to you. Yes, I have a somewhat nervous condition, which in fact does tend to heighten my senses, but that's where the comparison all ends. They called it Pepper Envy. Who ever heard of being locked up for Pepper Envy? I did nothing to János, the Hungarian gardener next door.  In fact, I have been extra nice, walking over every morning and bringing him coffee. I have even watered his garden.

 

But, his peppers. Yes, his peppers. They're the envy of the neighborhood. Everyone wants to grow peppers like he does. I don't. I stare out my window every morning and there they are, mocking me. Every time I walk into the kitchen. They call to me, taunt me. I know those peppers laugh at me and my attempt to grow my own peppers. I finally gave up on mine. I tore them out of my garden last week.

 

All of the taunts and laughs, it was really too much for a person to bear. Those darn peppers. They laughed so hard as I pulled my own out of the ground. I know it sounds crazy but peppers watch. They were happy the moment I no longer had pepper plants. I could see them shine more, gleaming their peppery eyes in the sun at me. I did what anyone else would have done. After a couple days of János' plants thinking they had won, I grabbed mine and stuck them back in the ground. They'll snap back I'm sure.

 

János came over to offer his advice after that, trying to tell me the pepper plants wouldn't regenerate. He's the reason I'm where I'm at. His damn plants. All I wanted to do was prove him wrong. I had been so nice to him and those God awful plants that always had something to say. I couldn't help myself. The ridicule continued as the leaves on my own plants turned brown. Perhaps János sabotaged my plants. I knew he did.

 

I couldn't help myself. I tore them out in the middle of the night. I imagined the peppers were screaming but I would replant them. Then János would see. They do grow back. I replanted them in my garden and put mine in his. In the morning I knew he wouldn't know what had happened...a blight had come over night and taken his plants and a new life sprung into my own.

 

I didn't understand. How did the police get involved? János was supposed to be impressed. He was supposed to be longing for plants like mine but instead he called the police. The peppers told him. I knew they talked. I knew they would tell what happened and here I am now, in this cell; Pepper Envy.

 

Before I left, János grabbed his peppers back, handing them to Emma. I knew she was going to make her stuffed pepper soup. It was the envy of the neighborhood. Everyone wished they could make soup like Emma. The fresh peppers paired with the tangy tomatoes...it tasted just like a stuffed pepper only it was soup. It was a brilliant move, pairing János and Emma. That soup mocked me every time she made it, the aroma drifting out her window, laughing at my ability as a cook. It knew it was taunting me and my abilities.....

 

 

 

Hungarian 'Stuffed' Pepper Soup

1 lb Ground Sirloin

1 lb Sweet Italian Sausage

1 Onion, chopped

1 tbsp. Butter

1 Cup Instant Rice

1 15 oz Can Condensed Tomato Soup

1 15 oz Can Tomato Sauce

1 Can 28 oz San Marzano Whole Tomatoes

2 Red Peppers, seeded and chopped

2 Green Peppers, seeded and chopped

1 tsp Hungarian Paprika

1 Bay Leaf

a pinch of Red Pepper Flakes

Chop the onions. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.

Add the chopped onions to the melted butter, sprinkling a little bit of salt over them.

Cook until they begin to brown.

Meanwhile, place ground meat, Italian sausage in a large bowl.

Add the onions.

Add the rice.

Mix

Chop your peppers and place in a soup pot, 5 quart.

Add 1 can of tomato soup.

Add one can of tomato sauce.

Use the empty tomato sauce can and fill it with water three times, adding it to the soup pot.

Add the whole tomatoes to the soup, crushing the tomatoes before putting them into the pot.

Form your ground meat mixture into little balls and drop them in the soup, one by one.

Add Hungarian Parika, a Bay Leaf and Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.

Bring to a simmer and let cook 30 minutes or so until the peppers have softened and the meat is cooked through.

Have some fresh bread on hand for dipping.

You will be the envy of your neighborhood.

Eat well, my friends.

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