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.
FabFrugalFood
Thanks so much for introducing me to the wonderful world of Daring Cooks. Food Bloggers' Heaven!
Donna
Jamie
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!
Mags
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.
Juliana
Nice bean stew…looks very hearty and comforting 🙂
Faith
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.
Barbara
Sorry it was not a success with your family, Barbara. It LOOKS good and that spoon sure stands straight up in it!
Lori
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.
chef_d
Yummy looks so delicious!
Maria
Never heard of this one, perfect for the spring snow in Utah..ha!
Kamalika
Hi Barbara, Thanks a lot for visiting my Blog and for the lovely comment..do visit again…
The stew looks very tempting and Healthy….
Cristie
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!!
Asha @ FSK
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..
Bonnie
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?
Anula
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 🙂
Lynda
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!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
A shame that not everyone liked it but it looks like it's lovely and thick! 😀
Cool Lassi(e)
The stew looks fabulous dear. The paddle does stand upright in the middle. So it must be a stew done right!
Jessica @ How Sweet
Mmmm looks so tasty. Can't wait to see what you choose for May!
RicetteAmoreFantasia
Ciao
Sembra buono il tuo stufato…è proprio un bel piatto complimenti!
Memória
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.