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Stew... any dish where solids are slowly simmered in liquid until they are tender. The solids may be meat, fowl, fish, crustaceans (shrimp, crab, etc.), veggies, fruit or a combination of any of these. The liquids, in which they may be simmered, water, broth, diluted bouillon, wine, beer, fruit juices, veggie juice or a combination of any of these. This certainly covers all the possibilities. If you serve it in a bowl, it's soup. If you serve it on a plate, it's stew...unless the liquid in the stew is not very thick. Then I call it, stoup!

And so it is...recipes for stew today.

This stew is baked in the oven, giving you the opportunity to bake something along with it, such as fruit bread, heating French bread or muffins to serve with the stew.

CREAMY SAUSAGE STEW

5 medium unpeeled potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

1 large onion, preferably a white onion, coarsely chopped

1 each, medium green and red pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces

1 lb. Polish sausage, cut in 1/4-inch slices

3 T. canola oil or vegetable oil

1-1/2 t. dried basil

1/2 t. salt - optional

1/4 t. pepper

1 c. heavy cream, heated until warm

4-1/2 t. cornstarch

1/4 c. water

Put potatoes in a 5 qt. Dutch oven or a roasting pan, such as a 9x13 baking pan. Add next 3 ingredients; combine gently. Combine next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over veggies and sausage, mixing well. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes; stir. Slowly add the cream; cover and bake 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Combine cornstarch and water; stir into stew. Put on top of stove and bring to a boil over medium heat, gently stirring constantly until thickened.

Makes 5-6 servings.

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PORK SAUSAGE STEW

1 lb. bulk pork sausage (not ground pork)

1-each, 10 oz. pkg. frozen corn and peas with carrots or 1-1/2 c. each

1-1/2 c. peeled, diced potatoes

1-15 oz. can diced tomatoes (Hunt's has no-salt, diced tomatoes)

1 can condensed split pea with ham and bacon soup, undiluted

1 c. water

1/2 c. thinly sliced celery (1 rib)

1/2 c. diced onion

1/4 c. diced green pepper

1-1/2 t. dill weed - not seed

1-1/2 t. chili powder

In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, brown and crumble sausage; drain. Add rest of ingredients; cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Maybe we should call this stoup. I think you should serve it in a bowl.

Makes 4-6 servings.

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This stew has three ingredients I normally don't use. It's quick and easy to make. It's another Stoup recipe!

PEPPY HAMBURGER

VEGETABLE STEW

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 c. chopped onion

2 T. margarine or butter

1 pkt. Sloppy Joe seasoning mix

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

Dash hot sauce

2-15 oz. cans diced tomatoes or 1 qt. home canned tomatoes

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced (1 c.)

1 medium potato, peeled and cubed (1 c.)

2 ribs of celery, sliced thin (1 c.)

In a Dutch oven or large frying pan, brown ground beef, drain fat. Add rest of ingredients. Bring to a boil, simmer, covered, about 30 minutes until veggies are tender. Serve in bowls.

Makes 5-6 servings.

Serve with a hearty bread or hot garlic bread for a tasty, filling meal. It's a great dish to take with you in an insulated container when doing outdoor winter sports. Remember, the Celebration of the Lakes is next weekend, the 28th through the 30th. This is a great celebration and a great dish to serve friends who may be joining you for the weekend. It's a easy recipe to double and can be made 1-2 days ahead of serving time.

I thought you might be interested in trying this stew recipe.

ELEPHANT STEW

1 elephant

2 rabbits - optional

Salt and pepper to taste

Brown gravy

Cut elephant into small bite-size pieces. This will take about 2 months. Keep the trunk! You'll need something to store the pieces in. Add enough brown gravy to cover. Cook over kerosene fire for about 4 weeks at 465 degrees. This will serve about 3,000 people. If more are expected, 2 rabbits will be added! But do this only if necessary as most people do not like to find hare in their stew! I think I've given you this recipe before but I'm guessing you never made it. However, if you have the time, bring it to a Twins game and you'll be a millionaire!

TFD: Those who "cook up" stories will often find themselves in hot water!

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