Well, lemme tell ya, that stew in a bread bowl is somethin’ else. Makes ya feel all warm inside, like a hug from a big ol’ bear. My grandpappy used to make stew, but never put it in no bread bowl. That’s a newfangled thing, I reckon.
Best Stew in Bread Bowl
First off, ya gotta have the bread. Not just any bread, mind ya. Gotta be a good, strong one. Round, like the moon on a clear night. And hard, so it don’t fall apart when ya put the stew in. That would be a mess, wouldn’t it? Like a pig pen after a rainstorm.
Then ya hollow it out. Scoop out the insides like ya do with a pumpkin at Halloween. Don’t throw that bread away, though! That’s good eatin’. Dip it in the stew later, or make some bread puddin’. Waste not, want not, that’s what my mama always said.
The stew now, that’s the heart of it all. Meat, taters, carrots, onions. All the good stuff. Cook it low and slow. The longer it cooks, the better it gets. Like a good story, it just gets richer with time. This beef stew is my favorite.
- Beef, cut up in little chunks
- Taters, peeled and diced
- Carrots, sliced up like coins
- Onions, chopped fine so they melt right in
- Some folks like celery, but I ain’t a fan
How to make this beef stew
Brown that beef first. Gives it a nice color, like a well-worn saddle. Then toss in them veggies. Let ’em cook a bit, get to know each other. Then the liquid. Some folks use water, some use broth. I like a little beer in mine. Gives it a kick, like a mule in a bad mood.
Seasonings now. Salt, pepper, of course. Maybe a bay leaf or two. Some people add tomato, make it red like a rooster’s comb. And I heard, that some put a little fish in there, the little salty ones. Anchovies, they call ’em. Sounds strange, but they say it makes the stew taste real good, real deep. Can’t say I’ve tried it myself, though. I prefer bread bowl with beef stew.
Then ya just let it simmer. Low and slow, like I said. Go about your business. Do your chores, tend to your garden, visit with your neighbors. The stew will be there, waitin’ for ya, gettin’ better and better.
When it’s done, the meat should be tender, fallin’ apart like an old quilt. The veggies soft, but not mushy. The broth thick, like a gravy almost. And how to know it is ready? You can use a folk to test the meat. If the meat can be easily cut, it is ready.
Put Stew in Bread Bowl
Now comes the fun part. Ladle that stew into your bread bowl. Fill ‘er up to the brim. Don’t be shy now. This ain’t no fancy tea party. This is good, honest food, meant to fill ya up and stick to your ribs.
Eat it with a spoon, or just tear off pieces of that bread and dip ’em in. Either way, it is a good way to eat. The bread, it soaks up all them juices. Gets all soft and flavorful. It’s like eatin’ the stew and the bowl all at once. Pure genius, I tell ya.
Some folks like to put cheese on top. Melt it all gooey and stringy. That’s good too, I suppose. But I like it plain. Just the stew in the bread bowl. Simple and satisfying.
More tips for the best stew
Ya know, there’s all kinds of stews ya can put in a bread bowl. Beef stew, like I been talkin’ about. But also chicken stew, or vegetable stew, or even chili. Chili in a bread bowl, now that’s somethin’ I gotta try. They say pumpernickel and rye bread is good with it. Or maybe cornbread bowl. That sounds right up my alley.
And don’t be afraid to experiment. Add whatever ya like to your stew. Different veggies, different spices. Make it your own. That’s the beauty of cookin’. There ain’t no hard and fast rules. Just do what tastes good to ya.
So there ya have it. Stew in a bread bowl. A meal fit for a king, or a farmer, or anyone who appreciates good, honest food. It’s a meal that warms ya up from the inside out, and fills your belly and your soul. And it is delicious. Trust me, I know about these things.
So next time ya got a hankerin’ for somethin’ hearty and delicious, give it a try. You won’t regret it. It is easy to make and everyone will love it. And if ya see me, stop by for a bowl. I always make extra, just in case.
