Diana Millay's Dracula Goulash

from the Dark Shadows Celebrity Cookbook

 With my favorite holiday Halloween approaching, I thought it would be a great time to try out Diana Millay's Dracula Goulash from the Dark Shadows Celebrity Cookbook.  As everyone knows, Diana is a great cook and food enthusiast so I was confident that her version of this classic Hungarian pörkölt would be not only superb, but also worthy of the famous count's elegant table.  A good batch of sauerkraut is a key to this dish which also includes chunks of pork and spicy Kielbasa sausage. The fragrant and hearty stew is enhanced with chopped onion and garlic, aromatic caraway seeds, paprika, and finished with rich and tangy sour cream.  Serve it with noodles, potato dumplings, or gnocchi.  It's a dish that is packed with flavor and texture and is sure to become one of your favorites.  There are many variations of goulash recipes, but I would recommend this as one of the best.  The meat becomes quite tender and succulent and the overall flavor is very well balanced and satisfying.  But what else would you expect from someone who would "rather eat than act," particularly when that person has lived for several hundred years besides.  One wonders if Ms. Millay got her recipe directly from the kitchen notes of Count Dracula himself.  Perhaps she'd be willing to tell us.  In any case, make this when you entertain guests for Halloween or, for a great dinner after your next coven meeting.  By the way, traditional Hungarian goulash was prepared in cauldrons over open fires, if that provides a clue as to the kind of feast it makes.  You'll certainly have some vey happy and satisfied witches flying home following a memorable meal like this one and phoning you the next day for recipe.  I can see Laura Collins making this for dinner down at Matthew's cottage once in a while, maybe with a curious Mrs. Johnson looking on in wonder.