Best Groundhog Day Mulligan Stew Recipes

GROUNDHOG STEW, WITH BACON AND NATURAL WILD RICE

Steps:

• The night before hand, trim the groundhog pieces of as much visible fat as possible, then season liberally with salt and pepper, toss with the garlic cl0ves, oil, thyme, bay leaves, and rosemary. Put the seasoned groundhog pieces in a wide dish or casserole and pour over the wine. Allow the woodchuck to sit overnight or at least for 4-5 hours, turn it around in the juices now and then if you have time.
• Cut the corn from the cob, then cut the cobb into 2 inch slices and reserve both separately.
• To prepare the stew, render out the fat from the bacon in a wide 10 inch braising pan, remove the bacon and reserve, leave the fat in the pan.
• Remove the groundhog pieces from their marinade, pat dry and remove any rogue herbs or pieces of garlic. Toss with the wild rice flour, then brown on medium high heat in the bacon fat. Pour off the spent fat from the pan, deglaze the pan with the sherry, reduce by half, then add the stock, corn cob, cover the pan and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
• If you have time, skim the albumen and fat that rise to the surface of the pan occasionally as it makes a cleaner tasting stew. Simmer the groundhog gently for 1.5 hours, or until the meat can be picked from the bones.
• Meanwhile, cook the wild rice in the chicken stock until just done, then strain out the rice and lay out on a plate or cookie sheet to cool. Reserve the wild rice liquid to add to the stew. It adds really good flavor, and that's why you're cooking the rice in chicken stock in the first place.
• Remove the woodchuck pieces and cool, then pick the meat from the bones, give it a rough chop, and reserve. You should have about 2.5 cups of meat.
• Remove the stock from the pan and reserve then strain it. You should have about 1 qts of liquid.
• Wipe the pan, then melt the butter and add the diced vegetables, bacon and the garlic. Sweat the mixture until it's well cooked, and the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes, then add the reserved woodchuck liquid, tomato, wild rice liquid and simmer for 15 minutes more.
• Finally, add the woodchuck meat, corn kernels, and wild rice. Season the stew with salt to taste, then serve immediately with some Tobasco on the side. If not serving, chill immediately, transfer to a labeled, dated container and reserve until needed.

GRANDMA'S MULLIGAN STEW

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, brown the ground beef well and drain (I like brown, not gray colored meat. more flavor and eye appealing).
• Hold the corn until the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
• Add remaining ingredients to the beef.
• Add water to cover about 1/2 inch above ingredients (add more if needed later).
• Cook until all ingredients are tender.
• Add corn, cook another 5-10 minutes, adjust salt if needed.
• Serve with a nice loaf of home made bread for a delightful 1 pot meal.
• If I'm in a big hurry, I sometimes start the cooking of the squash and peppers in the microwave so they will tenderize quicker once the ingredients are combined.
• I sometimes serve some form of potato with this to round out the meal a bit.
• Note: I've tried adding things like onions and mushrooms, but it just isn't true Mulligan Stew and the perfection of the flavor balance is lost so I suggest you stay true to the recipe as given.

MULLIGAN STEW

Steps:

• Combine flour and pepper; toss with beef cubes. In a Dutch oven, brown beef in oil. Add broth, water, bay leaves, garlic salt, oregano, basil and dill; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until meat is tender, about 2 hours. Add carrots, potatoes, celery and onion; cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Add corn, beans and peas; cover and simmer 15 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; add to stew. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove bay leaves; add parsley.

GROUNDHOG DAY MULLIGAN STEW

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot place chicken and bay leaf in the 2 qt. water. Boil for about 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Cool slightly and remove the bay leaf. Debone chicken and remove skin.
• 2. Add all vegetables except tomatoes and garlic.
• 3. Coat stew meat with the flour that has been seasoned with the salt and pepper. Be sure to use all the flour, this will thicken the stew.
• 4. Heat the 3 tbsp oil in a skillet and brown the meat on all sides.
• 5. Add the canned tomatoes to the skillet to rinse all drippings and browned flour and pour into pot with chicken and vegetables.
• 6. Add garlic and simmer until all vegetables are done, about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.