Book of Days Tales

Today tends to be celebrated in the US as Independence Day for not particularly good reasons.  There was a war to follow that settled the outcome, but not until 1782.  No matter. The day has stuck in US consciousness as a time to have parades and make hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.  Meanwhile, today is the birthday (1826)  of celebrated composer Stephen Foster.  He wrote some great songs including Oh Susaanna, Beautiful Dreamer and, of course, My Old Kentucky Home.  Here is Kentucky burgoo in his honor.  It must be made of three meats and the wilder the better.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons frying oil, divided

2 squirrels or rabbits, skinned and gutted

2 lbs deer meat

1 turkey, quartered

1 quart chicken stock, divided

salt and pepper to taste

 1 large onion, cut into small dice

 2 large carrots, peeled and diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 baking potatoes, peeled cubed ½ inch

1 cup fresh cut okra

1 cup fresh corn kernels

 1 cup fresh butter beans

 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

fresh thyme

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

  2 tablespoons tomato paste

    1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

    1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

Instructions

    In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Working in batches, sauté the meats, 5 minutes or until browned. Repeat the procedure with the remaining oil until all has been browned. Add all the ingredients back to the pan and simmer gently for several hours.  I suggest 4 hours but longer is fine. The burgoo just gets richer the longer you cook it although you will need to add water or broth over time to stop it drying out.