Brunswick Stew

This stew, from Brunswick County, Virginia, oftentimes contains squirrel, beef and a bone from a baked Virginia or country ham. You can add these to the pot, along with the fryer, if you want.

Ingredients

• 1 large broiler-fryer chicken
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 small onion
• 1 quart water
• 2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen baby lima beans
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen kernel corn
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Combine first four ingredients in a large Dutch oven or stockpot; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours.
2. Remove chicken from broth, reserving broth in Dutch oven; discard celery and onion. Skim and discard fat from surface of broth. Cool chicken; skin, bone and coarsely chop meat. Set aside.
3. Add tomatoes (undrained), chopped onion, and whole potatoes to broth; bring mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Remove potatoes; mash and return to stew.
4. Add chopped chicken, baby lima beans and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours, stirring often.