🇭🇺 Hungarian Cottage Cheese Spread – Körözött (Long Recipe)

🇭🇺 Hungarian Cottage Cheese Spread – Körözött (Long Recipe)

Ingredients

• 1½ cups cottage cheese or farmer’s cheese
• 2–3 tbsp sour cream (adjust for creaminess)
• 2 tbsp soft butter (optional but traditional)
• 1 small onion, very finely chopped
• 1–1½ tsp sweet Hungarian paprika
• ½ tsp caraway seeds, crushed (optional but authentic)
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional additions:
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 1 tbsp chopped chives or parsley
  • A pinch of hot paprika for heat

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Preparation

1. Prepare the cheese
   Place the cottage/farmer’s cheese in a bowl. If it’s coarse, mash with a fork until smooth and creamy. For extra smoothness, you can press it through a sieve.
2. Make it creamy
   Add the soft butter and sour cream. Mix well until fully combined and spreadable.
3. Add flavor
   Stir in the finely chopped onion, paprika, crushed caraway seeds, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly so the paprika colors the spread evenly.
4. Adjust taste
   Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more sour cream if you want it softer, or more paprika if you want deeper flavor.
5. Chill
   Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to blend perfectly.

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Serving Suggestions

• Spread on fresh bread or toast
• Serve with rye bread or crusty rolls
• Use as a dip for raw vegetables
• Traditional with lángos or as part of a cold platter

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Tips for the Best Körözött

• Always use sweet Hungarian paprika for authentic flavor
• Onion must be chopped very fine to avoid overpowering the spread
• Let it rest before serving — it tastes even better cold
• For a lighter version, replace butter with extra sour cream

This is a classic Hungarian comfort spread—simple, rustic, and full of character 🇭🇺