Brunswick Stew

Main Dish, Soup

This has a long ingredient list that includes things not typically in my kitchen. This stew, therefore requires a dedicatted trip to the grocery and a good 3 hour commitment to prepare and cook. I have been told that true "Brunswick" stew is not this chunky and that I should puree it before serving. No. The appeal of this stew to me is the big chunks of meat and vegetables.

Ingredients/Shopping List
Sauce
• 4 tablespoons bacon drippings
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 3/4 cups ketchup
• ½ tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• ¼ cup mustard
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Heinz 57 steak sauce
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (to taste)
• ¼ cup vinegar (white or cider is fine)
• 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

Stew
• 1 (8 ounce) can lima beans, drained (optional)
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 smoked chicken breasts
• 2 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 (8 ounce) can creamed corn
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• 1 lb smoked pork
• 3 cups diced potatoes
• 2 (8 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes

Directions

Melt ¼ cup butter and add sauce ingredients. Simmer for ten minutes, do not boil!

In large pot melt ¼ cup butter; add potatoes, onion, broth, and meats. Boil 15-20 minutes until potatoes are done, reduce heat to medium.

Add tomatoes, corn, peas and beans. Cook 5 minutes at medium heat stirring continuously.

Add sauce mix. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer slowly for two hours, stir often to prevent scorching.

Note:
• Consider adding a tangy BBQ sauce to give this stew a bit of a wallop. Vinegar or mustard BBQ sauce is interesting.
• A-1, Heinz, or any favorite steak sauce added while simmering will infuse the stew with a favorite flavor.