Menu: Brunswick Stew

 

~MENU~ Brunswick Chicken Stew Hot Fluffy Rice Peaches Iced Tea, Lemonade or Fruit Drink

 

Canned Goods

• 2 (12-ounce) cans chicken
• 1 (15-ounce) can corn, no-salt-added
• 1 (15-ounce) can lima beans or butter beans or green beans (no-salt-added, if possible)
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomatoes with celery, green pepper and onion
• 1 (28-ounce) can peaches

Bag 1

• 2 tablespoons dry minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper or red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Bag 2

• 4 cups instant white rice

Pantry

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Louisiana Hot Sauce
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 or 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Instant Iced Tea, Lemonade or Fruit Drink Mix, if desired

Water

• 4 cups (32-ounces) water for rice
• 2 quarts or 2 liters water for drinking with the meal

To Store

Gather the cans and water in a box or paper bag. Measure all of the ingredients for Bag 1 into a plastic zipper bag or a small jar or resealable plastic container. Seal and place in with the canned goods. Measure the rice into a separate bag or container. Seal and place in with the canned goods. Label the box (or bag) and make sure a copy of the recipe instructions is included.

To Prepare

Begin by opening up all of the cans except the peaches. Pour the contents of all of the cans into a 3 or 4-quart saucepan or pot. Stir gently. Add the contents of Bag 1 along with the Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, barbecue sauce and vegetable oil. Place the chicken onto your stove and light the flame. Cook over a medium flame for about 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

While the chicken is heating, prepare the rice. In a 2-quart saucepan with a good lid, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the rice. Return the water to a boil. Cover the pot. Turn off the flame. If possible wrap the hot pot in a towel or blanket. Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes (or longer if necessary). Use as desired.

Open the peaches. Drain the liquid and add it to the lemonade or iced tea that you’re serving with the meal. If desired, cut the peaches into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a serving bowl.

Prepare 2-quarts of your preferred beverage, adding the liquid from the canned fruit for extra flavor and nutrition.

Serve the stew in a bowlover a large pile of rice with peaches on the side.

Notes

This is a traditional Brunswick stew. It’s spicy sweet, and the barbecue sauce gives it a flavor reminiscent of summer barbecues on the patio. If you prefer a smokier flavor you may add a spoonful of liquid smoke. I like this best with Louisiana Hot Sauce but any type of hot sauce can be used. Texas Pete would be my second choice. If you prefer a more pork-like flavor then add a spoonful of peanut butter. It will thicken the stew a little bit and give it a meatier flavor.

Traditionally Brunswick stew is made with dried butter beans. If you can’t find butter beans at your market, then canned lima beans are just as good. If your family is hostile towards lima beans, then green beans make a fine substitute.