Son-of-a-b---h stew (PC) (Annie close your eyes)

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Tweet

DISCLAIMER:    Can't provide a personal testimonial here, 'cause I haven't been able to come up with all the required ingredients  (my neighbor might get a bit upset if I rustled a calf of his), but I'd sure like to try it some time.

 Ingredients

 
Ingredient (1 each of the following)
                       
calf heart                         
calf liver                         
calf tongue                         
marrow gut         
calf tenderloin         
calf sweetbreads         
calf brain                         
suet
                         
and 1/2 onion, peeled      


Instructions
1.) A note on marrow gut. I do not know where to find this ingredient unless you know a cattle rancher. It is the tube connecting the stomachs of a cow, and must be from a calf that is still living on milk- the taste and texture change as soon as it starts grazing, as the critical flavor comes from the milk still in it. If you've got a rancher connection, have everything taken from the same calf when it gets butchered.
2.) A note on measurements. Don't use the entire liver, or the stew will be too bitter. Use a bit more tenderloin than tongue.
3.) This is an old cowboy dish, and while it doesn't sound particularly appetizing, it falls into the magical "boiled beef stew" category, along with pot-au-feu and other legendary dishes. 
4.) Dice the suet, and melt it in a large pot. Remove any cracklings.
5.) Meanwhile, cut the heart into small cubes, then add it to the pot.
6.) Skin and cube the tongue, then add it. (tongue and heart are the toughest pieces of meat and require the longest cooking time, hence putting them in first)
7.) While these are cooking on a very low heat, cut the sweetbreads, tenderloin and liver into similar pieces, and add them.
8.) Cut the marrow gut into rings, and add to the pot.
9.) Add hot water to cover and the onion, and raise the heat slightly, simmering. Skim any scum that floats to the surface, and replace any water that is lost in the cooking process.
10.) Meanwhile, clean the brains of blood and membrane. Cook them separately in additional suet, with a little flour added. These will become a thickening agent for the stew.
11.) Add them to the main pot, raise the heat.
12.) Add salt and pepper.
13.) Simmer at least six hours, adding water as necessary.
14.) Variations: add potatoes, worchestershire sauce, use beer as some of the simmering liquid.


Yield: 10 servings


PS:  From what I've read, there was never a shortage of the required ingredient (a sucking calf) on the cattle drives.  Invariably, pregnant cows would drop calves that wouldn't be strong enough to keep up with the herd on its daily march north, and the coosie and cowboys were obviously not too proud or ashamed to salvage what would have been a total loss otherwise.

[Joyce (AnnieLee)]

Too late, I looked!

Here are my variations:

9.) Add hot water to cover and the onion, and raise the heat slightly, simmering. Skim any scum that floats to the surface, and replace any water that is lost in the cooking process.

AnnieLee's 9a) Since skimming the "scum" will empty the pot, wash it with hot soapy water, rinse, and fill to about 1/2 full and put back on the fire. Toss in a pot roast.
10.) Meanwhile, clean the brains of blood and membrane. Cook them separately in additional suet, with a little flour added. These will become a thickening agent for the stew.
AnnieLee's 10) Bury the brains. Toss them in the river. Feed them to the pigs. DON'T PUT THEM IN THE POT!
Toss in some chopped carrots, and some cubed potatoes and onions.

11.) Add them to the main pot, raise the heat.
12.) Add salt and pepper.
13.) Simmer at least six hours, adding water as necessary.
14.) Variations: add cabbage, worchestershire sauce, use beer as some of the simmering liquid.



My "prejudices" are based on living in the 21st century, I know. If I had actually lived back then, I probably would have cooked and eaten Capt. Cox's recipe.

I am very glad I don't.



AnnieLee

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Too late, I looked!

Here are my variations:

9.) Add hot water to cover and the onion, and raise the heat slightly, simmering. Skim any scum that floats to the surface, and replace any water that is lost in the cooking process.

AnnieLee's 9a) Since skimming the "scum" will empty the pot, wash it with hot soapy water, rinse, and fill to about 1/2 full and put back on the fire. Toss in a pot roast.
10.) Meanwhile, clean the brains of blood and membrane. Cook them separately in additional suet, with a little flour added. These will become a thickening agent for the stew.
AnnieLee's 10) Bury the brains. Toss them in the river. Feed them to the pigs. DON'T PUT THEM IN THE POT!
Toss in some chopped carrots, and some cubed potatoes and onions.

11.) Add them to the main pot, raise the heat.
12.) Add salt and pepper.
13.) Simmer at least six hours, adding water as necessary.
14.) Variations: add cabbage, worchestershire sauce, use beer as some of the simmering liquid.



My "prejudices" are based on living in the 21st century, I know. If I had actually lived back then, I probably would have cooked and eaten Capt. Cox's recipe.

I am very glad I don't.



AnnieLee

...and you'd have loved it.   In the Army, we called what you're tryin' to do an "unauthorized modification",  and you could get into SERIOUS trouble for such an infraction.  If ya don't believe me, just ask Forty Rod.

[Joyce (AnnieLee)]

...and you'd have loved it.   In the Army, we called what you're tryin' to do an "unauthorized modification",  and you could get into SERIOUS trouble for such an infraction.  If ya don't believe me, just ask Forty Rod.

Ut oh, would it get put on my permanent record?

But occifer! I had to make the mod. The existing instructions would have rendered it "NETS" or Not Edible This Station! The Mod was required and mandatory to return the recipe to the field!

AnnieLee, former Air Force Electronic Communications and Cryptographic Equipment Systems Repair Technician, former electo-mechanical-optical maintenance technician for TOW missile systems. (So there. )

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

That's rich, Annie.  Had no idea ya knew tha lingo.  It's a real pleasure doin' bizness with ya.

[Joyce (AnnieLee)]

I'm having a great time, Capt. Hamp, and it's great to see folks are enjoying the new forum!



AnnieLee

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

I'm having a great time, Capt. Hamp, and it's great to see folks are enjoying the new forum!



AnnieLee

Agree.  It was a super idea.  Hope the other folks are havin' fun too.

[Delmonico]

I'd make the proper version some time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if I had the guts to make it!

[gophergrease]

Capt. if the all the ingrediantscould be gotting,will you come for supper?

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Sounds mighty temptin', Mr. G.

[gophergrease]

I have family in OK, that have cattle. Have been told if I will come cook it I can have a calf.