Hungarian Green Pea Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Hungarian green pea soup, or zöldborsóleves, is a comforting homemade dish built around sweet green peas, fresh vegetables, herbs, and small soft dumplings.

It is colorful, nourishing, and wonderfully simple. The tender peas provide a natural sweetness, while the homemade dumplings make the soup hearty enough to enjoy as a light main course.

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 4 cups fresh or frozen green peas
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 small parsley root or parsnip, diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Dumplings

• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1–2 tablespoons water, if needed
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional