Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 pounds beef shank, trimmed of excess fat
- 2 pounds lamb shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 (3 to 4-pound) chicken, cut into 1/8's
- Essence, recipe follows
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 medium onions, quartered plus 2 cups chopped onions
- 4 whole cloves garlic, peeled and crushed, plus 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 medium fresh hot red pepper, quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 quarts water
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 2 cups medium diced carrots
- 1 cup medium diced green bell peppers
- 2 cups canned peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
- 1 pound Idaho potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup fresh lima beans
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Cheesy Garlic Grits Casserole, recipe follows
Directions
In a large heavy pot heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef, lamb and chicken with Essence, salt and pepper and add in batches to the pot, searing on all sides. Add the quartered onions, whole garlic, red pepper, and bay leaves, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered, skimming to remove any scum that forms on the surface, until the meat is tender and the chicken is falling from the bones, about 2 hours.
Strain, reserving the broth. When the meats and chicken are cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones and discard. Chop the meat.
Return the clean pot to the heat and cook the bacon over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon. To the fat in the pan, add the chopped onions, carrots and bell peppers, and cook stirring, until soft, 4 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, lima beans, Worcestershire and sugar, and enough reserved broth to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, until thick and the potatoes are tender, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add the corn and cooked meat and chicken and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the bacon and parsley and stir.
Remove from the heat and serve hot with Cheesy Garlic Grits Casserole and hot biscuits
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield: 2/3 cup
Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, Published by William and Morrow, 1993
Cheesy Garlic Grits Casserole:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 3/4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup old fashioned or quick cooking grits (not instant)
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons mashed roasted garlic puree
2 large eggs, beaten
3/4 teaspoon paprika
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 2-quart souffle dish with 2 tablespoons of the butter and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stirring, add the grits and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring, occasionally, until the grits are thick, smooth and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the cream and cook until well incorporated, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour into the prepared casserole and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Yield: 6 servings
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By level1paladin_1...
Barbourville, 56
on May 08, 2011
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Since game is generally not wildly available and mutton isn't available at all in most of Eastern or Southern Kentucky and if it is, it's generally outrageous in price, supplementing with beef shoulder or pork shoulder and whatever you can find is a modern day take on it. There are places in Kentucky that use beef in their burgoo, for what I suspect is this reason. For instance the burgoo in the Old Talbott is beef stock and quite tasty. Really, saying burgoo is like saying mulligan or irish stew. Far too many people are putting specifics on waht a good burgoo should be and while it's true, the finest I've ever had was in Hopkinsville, most of us don't live anywhere near Hopkinsville. Do a google search for some local recipes from that area if you want was truly authentic. Otherwise, this is a pretty good stew.
By KYfarmboy
on April 17, 2011
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I am originally from KY and can attest to what was stated. Burgoo originated in Christian County KY from settlers who migrated from NC and Virginia. Up to about 30 years ago when restaurants served Burgoo, they referred to it as Christian County Burgoo.
Settlers used ingredients they had available. Wood fire cooking was the only way to cook, and the preferred wood was Hickory not Oak - Oak smoke can cause very uncomfortable intestinal concerns such as indigestion, constipation, etc.
The preferred meat originally was Rabbit, Deer and whatever else was in shooting range. As livestock became more plentiful, pork was the mainstay, and then mutton, but never beef. Emeril is popularizing the dish, but its along way from its roots. The best barbeque and Burgoo that I've ever eaten can only be found in Christian County, KY!
By ackirtley_12757623
Memphis, 82
on January 25, 2011
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I cannot say how this recipe tastes, but as a Kentuckian I can tell you that it takes a lot more than 4 hours to cook real burgoo. Traditionally, burgoo is a three meat stew that you cook in a huge cast iron pot over a fire for at least 2 days. Also, I have never in my life heard of anyone pouring it over grits or using beef. No one (non-chain restaurants or church picnics barbecues beef in Kentucky. The main meats of Kentucky barbecue are mutton, pork, and chicken. I do applaud Emeril for promulgating burgoo, but if you ever make this recipe and then try burgoo in Kentucky you will be in for a shock.
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