Thursday, November 24, 2011

Squirrel Stew (also known as Brunswick Stew)

You're going to want to start this recipe really early in the morning because it will take approximately nine hours to make, most of that simmering on the stove. The squirrel can be frozen. I had harvested the squirrels I used to make this a couple months prior and they were stored in freezer bags in the freezer. See youtube on how to field dress a squirrel (not kidding, that's how I learned!)

  • Five squirrels, skinned, field dressed and quartered
  • 2 qts chicken stock
  • water
  • 4 T. salt
  • 4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper

  • 2 medium sized onions
  • 3 medium sized potatoes
  • 1 can corn
  • 2 c. frozen or fresh lima beans
  • 2 c. frozen or fresh okra
  • 3-4 carrots
  • 3-4 celery stalks
  • 5 c. cherry/porter tomatoes


In a very large pot, first put squirrel meat in the broth adding enough water to cover the meat. Add salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat so it is lightly boiling. Cook meat for about three to four hours, adding water as needed, until the meat falls off the bones.

Using a slotted spoon, remove meat from stock. Add vegetables to stock, all of them should be well diced. You can use any vegetable really, but NOT rice. Rice is never used in Brunswick stew.

Next, remove meat from bones (this can take a while) and then add meat back into pot. Add more salt to taste. Let simmer/lighthly boil, stirring fairly often (it will stick to the bottom of the pot) until vegetables are reduced to mush. Add water as needed. You can make this the day before you need it and reheat it on the stove.

This recipe is really, really good and based on one from a late 19th century cookbook. My husband does not like fried squirrel, but he did love this stew. The long cook time takes a lot of the gaminess out of meat. You might use this recipe for other game meats as well.

They're trying to kill us!

Or at least that's what the mum-in-law said when I told her about this stupid email I got with a link to a page with tips on how to control your blood sugar. Lies! That's what I call it. They basically say to remove meat from your diet and add whole grains and fruit as a means to control your blood sugar. Yeah, you know what the definition of insanity is? Doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting different results. I don't suppose one should expect anything different from a site that is run by a bunch of corporate jackals and overseen by quacks *cough* Dr. Oz *cough*.

Good thing they have a medical disclaimer that states "[this] information is not to be taken as medical or other health advice..." Good advice, that.

By the way, we had a delicious thanksgiving dinner, with deep fried (in lard) turkey, squirrel stew (really! from a late 19th century recipe), jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon, mashed cauliflower, and I don't know what else, plus a bunch of nut flour based deserts.