Minus the critters, a stew made from slow cooked vegetables in white wine and vegetarian chicken stock, is robust but still lacks its essential wild game-like flavors. Add “tempeh bacon” and soy sausages to the mix, and well, since neither were shot at gunpoint, or skinned by an open fire I’m not sure this meatless stew qualifies as a “Brunswick.”
Both Brunswick, Virginia and Brunswick, Georgia claim the stew as their own, and both states say they can prove it. Virginia traces the stew back to a hunting camp on the banks of the Nottoway River in 1828. County records prove that a certain (Uncle) Jimmy Matthews, cook for a Dr. Creed Haskins of Mount Donum on the Nottoway, made the first Brunswick stew while Dr. Haskins and his friends were out hunting. Mr. Matthews shot the squirrels and put them in the stew (1).
While I’ve never tasted a true Brunswick Stew, this meatless version paired with a side of Johnny Cakes makes a hearty meal, even without a campfire or S’mores for dessert.
p.s. This post can also be read in Like the Dew: A Journal of Southern Culture and Politics
Meatless Brunswick Stew
(printable recipe)
adapted from The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook: Stories and Recipes for Southerners and Would-Be Southerners by Matt Lee and Ted Lee
Yield about 6 servings
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 medium onions (chopped)
3 medium carrots (chopped)
1 large celery stalk
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups Not-Chick’n broth (or use a rich vegetable stock)
1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes plus their juices (crush whole tomatoes in a large bowl with the back of a spoon)
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled and chopped)
1/2 tablespoon honey
1 bay leaf
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh (cut into 1-inch squares and sauteed in olive oil and seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pinch of each thyme, oregano, and basil)
2 Tofurky Italian Sausages (sliced into thin rounds, or use your favorite brand of vegetarian sausages)
1 cup frozen corn kernels (defrosted)
1 (10-ounce) package frozen organic lima beans (defrosted)
¼ cup red wine vinegar
Tabasco sauce to taste
In a large pot or dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until vegetables are slightly caramelized, about 15 minutes. Pour in white wine and cook for 1 minute. Turn heat up to medium-high; add the Not-Chick’n broth, drained tomatoes, potatoes, honey, bay leaf, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Lower heat to low and simmer gently uncovered the the stew is thickened about 45 minutes.
Add the vegetarian sausages, sauteed tempeh, corn, and lima beans and cook for another 15 minutes or until all the vegetables are well-seasoned and tender. Remove from heat and add in red wine vinegar. Season with salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce to taste. Serve hot with a side of savory Johnny Cakes.
Your meatless version looks very delicious! Great job!
This looks amazing!! I never knew about the meatless chicken stock – I always used to use Kosher "parev" (neitehr meat nor dairy) powdered consume. Now I make vegetable stock… (thanks to the risotto challenge) Your stew looks great – I just might have to try it!!
A wonderful stew! Yours looks so appetizing!
Cheers,
Rosa
congratulations!!
I loved your blogs!
very good taste and good ideas!
if you want food I simply "worship" are lemons and potatoes!
Hugs from São Paulo, Brazil
Gorgeous photos and great write up! }:P
all the 'meatless' stews look so delicious!
This looks and sounds so good!!
My head exploded after the words 'vegetarian chicken stock'. J
Veggie version looks great! I love your 'Not Chick'n broth'!!
I made a chicken and turkey version for the challenge, but – especially after seeing your version – I'm going to try a vegetarian one too. Looks and sounds delicious, and the johnny cakes sound like a great departure from cornbread or dumplings as a side.
With southern parents I grew up eating Brunswick Stew (made with ground beef!) such a good culinary memory.
I just love your prose! Beautiful job, and the critters thank you!
ROTFLOL@ minus the critters. Love it! Your stew turned out beautiful and my BF, being a vegetarian (well, unless it's a really good burger and he does eat chicken lol), would really love your version. Well done!!
Your stew looks fantastic and super hearty! Great job!
This looks delicious! I stumbled across your blog.