The Best Stew on the Planet

The Best Stew on the Planet

Years ago, I was at my mom’s cousins house for dinner. The moment I walked in the door there was this delicious smell coming from the oven. I met my parents there and we were in the living room visiting and laughing about current events and our lives. Some old stories were also told and we were having a good time. The aroma coming from the kitchen was driving me crazy it smelled so good. I was hungry and the smell was making my mouth water. The conversation continued on and I was getting hungrier by the minute.

Finally, it was time to eat and we all gathered around the dining room table. Reuben brought out a black enameled roaster from the kitchen and set it in the middle of the table. He then removed the cover. Steam and the most wonderful aroma arose from the container. When the cloud cleared, I peered into the roaster. There were potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions, and ground beef in a brown liquid in the bottom. My mom dished up first as she was a guest and then my dad. Then it was my turn and I filled my plate. I picked up my fork, stabbed a piece of potato and put it in my mouth, I was in heaven. Then a carrot, amazing! Then a piece of ground beef, unreal. This was the best tasting food that I had ever eaten. It didn’t take long and my plate was empty and I dished up some more. I couldn’t get enough of this food fit for a king. I asked Joann what the recipe was for this incredible meal. She said, “oh, its super easy, you just cut up and throw in the ingredients that you see on your plate and add a can of cream of mushroom soup and a can of water. Put it in the oven for an hour and a half and its done.”

“This is amazing, I’ll try and make it myself though I don’t think it will be as good as yours.”

“I’m sure it will taste just fine because it is so easy to make,” she said, “I see that you like it, isn’t that your second helping?”

“It is, it’s so good I can’t help myself.”

“Have some more, as there is plenty for everyone.”

I reframed from having another helping because I was stuffed. We all finished eating and then moved back into the living room and talked for hours. Reuben talked about when he did this or that and then my dad would tell a story about something that happened years ago and all of us would laugh. We always enjoyed getting together and enjoying each other’s company. Rueben and Joann are gone now though I think of them every time I make her stew. I altered her recipe a bit though it still tastes great.

Joann’s Stew

One pound of the following ingredients

Ground beef

Ground turkey

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces

Carrots cut into bite size pieces

Potatoes peeled and quartered length wise

One small green cabbage diced

One 14 ounce can diced tomatoes

One cup of diced onions

Six cups of water

After preparing the vegetables layer them into a large enameled roaster. Then add the cut-up chicken breasts. Put in the ground beef and turkey and break them down into bite size pieces. Then pour in the water and put the cover on the roaster. Put it in the oven and turn the temperature to 350 degrees. Bake it for forty-five minutes and then using oven gloves remove the roaster from the oven and carefully remove the cover. Standing away because there will be hot steam coming out of the pan. Using a knife cut into the chicken, beef and turkey to be sure that they are cooked all the way through. Cut the meats into smaller pieces if they aren’t cooked in the middle. Put the cover back on and put the roaster back into the oven. Set the timer for forty-five minutes and when the time is up removing the roaster from the oven and it is then time to eat. I have made Joann’s Stew for many people and all of them have raved at how good it is. Thank you, Joann and Reuben, for serving that amazing meal so many years ago.