Cigánytokány – Gypsy pork and bean ragout

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Meat dishes

Cigánytokány, or Gypsy pork and bean ragout, is a hearty, comforting dish that beautifully represents the rich flavors and traditions of Romani gastronomy in Hungary. Known for its use of simple yet flavorful ingredients, Romani cuisine often highlights the versatility of meats, beans, and spices, bringing warmth and depth to each meal. Hungarian Romani dishes are typically rustic and communal, reflecting a long history of resourceful cooking with local ingredients, often cooked slowly for deep, soulful flavors.

This recipe combines tender pork and creamy beans with the sweetness of peppers and tomatoes, simmered in rich goose lard to build layers of flavor. Topped with a crust of corn flour and creamy sour cream, cigánytokány bakes to perfection for a dish that’s both nourishing and satisfying. Serve it alongside sauerkraut and fresh bread for a truly authentic experience of Romani comfort food.

Cigánytokány - Gypsy pork and bean ragout
Cigánytokány – Gypsy pork and bean ragout – photo: zserbo.com

Lifetime access Membership Required

You must be a Lifetime access member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

0 Comments

Hungarian cottage cheese

This is what Hungarian túró looks like

You often ask me what kind of cottage cheese (or curd cheese or farmer's cheese - call it what you want) I use in the recipes. In Hungary the store-bought cottage cheese is dry and crumbly as you can see in the picture. So if a recipe calls for túró, I mean this type. If you can't obtain túró, you can try to make your own from whole milk. Click on the link below.

Metric system vs cup

In Hungary metric units are in use, all the recipes on this website are based on this system, so a kitchen scale is necessary. Since I’m not familiar with cup as a measurement unit, I convert grams to cups by using an online converter. The values in brackets, therefore, are only approximate volumes, so, please, double-check them before you start cooking.