A Famous American Stew?

Big Guy loves his newspapers and was fascinated with an article on making Brunswick Stew. The article quoted James Beard stating Brunswick Stew was “one of the most famous of American dishes.” I admit I was confused by this statement as I used to think it was an Irish dish due to a family friend making it every year for her Kentucky Derby Party.

As I read the article, I noticed the description used by Eric Kim in the New York Times article. Brunswick Stew is “a thrifty and soul-warming Southern staple which is savory, sweet, tangy, familiar yet surprising and, most important, hot.” It was this sentence that made Big Guy declare we needed to make it for Halloween!

The stew is heavy on chicken, potatoes, corn, beans, onions, and tomatoes. The spices are bay leaves, celery seeds, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce and a dash of sugar. The addition of chicken stock is just enough to pull it together while also marveling at the spoon standing up in the pot. It was the perfect dish for a cold and spooky night!