The 2010 April Daring Cooks challenge was hosted by Wolf of Wolf’s Den. She chose to challenge Daring Cooks to make Brunswick Stew. Wolf chose recipes for her challenge from The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook by Matt Lee and Ted Lee, and from the Callaway, Virginia Ruritan Club.
Brunswick, Georgia claims the first Brunswick Stew was created there in 1898. Brunswick, Virginia claims the first Brunswick Stew was created there. Every year, there is an Annual Brunswick Stew Cookoff that pits ‘Stewmasters’ from Virgina and Georgia. The rivalry of the two Brunswicks helped make this dish as popular as it is today, and it quickly became a pan-Southern classic.
Some recipe call for the original addition of squirrel, but most allow for chicken, turkey, ham, or pork, even beef on occasion. Rabbit is also used. The vegetables can vary widely from variation to variation, however, the Brunswick Stewmasters recipe says *exactly* what is used in competition stews, and states that “Adding any additional ingredient(s) will disqualify the stew from being an original Brunswick Stew.” However, most agree that, Brunswick stew is not done properly “until the paddle stands up in the middle.”
We were given a choice of two recipes and I chose to make the first one which was the longer version. I used chicken, pork and bacon as my meats. I cooked it over two days because the day I wanted to serve it was so busy. In the end I was in such a hurray to get it on the table, I forgot to add the vinegar and lemon juice to the completed stew.
It was fun to try this Southern classic and I thought it was okay, but my family didn’t care for it very much. Even though I only added half the onions called for in the recipe, my daughter picked most of the onions out of her stew. I think they may have liked it better if I had made it more spicy. My version reminded me of a ham and bean soup.
Although we didn’t love this recipe, many Daring Cooks did. Visit the Daring Kitchen Recipe Achieve for the recipes and the Daring Cooks Blogroll to see other delicious versions of this stew.
I am co-hosting the May Daring Cooks challenge with Bunnee of Anna + Food. I can’t wait for the Daring Cooks to see it. I hope you love it as much as we do.
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Barbacoa Salad
I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Awww. Es triste que a tu familia no le haya gustado esta sopa. Se ve muy rica.
I am so excited that you're going to host in May!! I guess I will have to try and participate just for you haha.
Ciao
Sembra buono il tuo stufato…è proprio un bel piatto complimenti!
Mmmm looks so tasty. Can't wait to see what you choose for May!
The stew looks fabulous dear. The paddle does stand upright in the middle. So it must be a stew done right!
A shame that not everyone liked it but it looks like it's lovely and thick! :D
I've wanted to try making this, but now I'm wondering if my family would like it. Yours looks so good and you really got the spoon to stand up!
You stew looks great! So thick and wholesome :)
Cheers! Anula.
P.S. Best of luck with the May hosting! Can't wait for the recipe :)
I have tried to like Brunswick Stew…I just don't, no matter the recipe. Yours is so pretty though. And the Squirrel…..Couldn't bring my self to hunt one down to add. That's just a crime, isn't it?
Heya B!! two days of love.. that stew must have been steeped in flavor.. but, yeah I get ya.. it was like any other stew that I usually make. nothing really extraordinary..
Barbara, loved the historical information on this stew. I haven't made it before or honestly ever heard of it, but it seems like something like the ladies in the old days would have been happy to have over their hearth and just added to endlessly. Very interesting. Hope to connect with you on Saturday!!
Hi Barbara, Thanks a lot for visiting my Blog and for the lovely comment..do visit again…
The stew looks very tempting and Healthy….
Never heard of this one, perfect for the spring snow in Utah..ha!
Yummy looks so delicious!
Too bad they didnt like it. We added a little barbeque sauce to ours. Maybe that would help. My daughter picks the onions out of everything.
Sorry it was not a success with your family, Barbara. It LOOKS good and that spoon sure stands straight up in it!
I have never heard of this stew until now, so I'm glad you gave us some info on it. I think this looks really delicious…it's the perfect warming meal.
Nice bean stew…looks very hearty and comforting :-)
I'm going to give your spoon stand a "10"… way to stick the landing Barbara!
Love the history behind this stew and it kinda reminds me of the chili rivalry that goes on between different states.
Aw, what is wrong with our families? Not like this stew? It looks so delicious and really authentic from what I remember of my Florida youth eating Brunswick stew at the local BBQ joint! I'll join you next time!
Thanks so much for introducing me to the wonderful world of Daring Cooks. Food Bloggers' Heaven!
Donna
Sometimes happen that the family doesn't approve the food…anyway the stew deserve a big spoon!
Cheers,
Gera
That is one good looking pot of stew… we forgot the vinegar and lemon juice too, and it seemed to come out fine. Looking forward to the May challenge!
Even though this wasn't your family's favorite, I think it looks absolutely delicious! Thank goodness squirrel isn't an essential ingredient.
bummer that it didn't meet your expectations, but it looks great. i also learned something! happy thursday!
Too bad the family didnt care for it, It sure looks good!
I cant wait to see what is up your sleeve for the next challenge. No hints?
This looks really good Barbara! Very hearty! Love the spoon sticking up. Too bad your family didn't like it – sure looks like it made a truck load!
Love your picture of the spoon sticking up! I've never had brunswick stew, but it definitely looks hearty and thick. Sorry to hear that you didn't love it.
YUM! I could eat the whole POT!
That's where Kelly's from (Brunswick, GA)…But we prefer the LOW COUNTRY BOIL over the stew any day! But the stew is yummy too.
Kerry
I've been hopping around many Daring Cooks' blogs and love seeing all the paddles standing proud in the stew! :) Yours is no exception!
Great job on your challenge and the paddle is really, really standing up.
Your Brunswick stew looks delicious, Barbara. Sometimes recipes disappoint, but it is still fun to try new things. I've never made this dish before.
I didn't know Brunswick Stew was a southern dish! Looks delicious!
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I can't imagine eating squirrel.