Campfire Stew

Ask anyone, and they'll tell you I'm not a cook. I make a mean webpage, but often find my cooking interrupted by my LIFE! So I'll share my recipe for an old family favorite. Originally, my mom made this in a cast iron frying pan over the campstove when we went camping - 4 kids in a tent - in the mountains. It's really never tasted that good again.

For this recipe you'll need 1 1/2 to 2 lbs of ground beef or venison. If it's fall, that may mean going in the huge outdoor freezer to lug 50 lb boxes out of your way to find the one labeled for family use. If it's winter, that may mean moving dead ducks, alligator heads, wild geese and the occasional chucker in the backporch freezer to find frozen hamburger. If it's summer, that probably means we sold all the beef, so get ready to go to Waffle House. Anyhow, however you get it, you need a couple of lbs of ground meat. Brown it. If you're using venison, you may have to add a little olive oil to keep it from balling up in those annoying lumps. If someone brings a very large alligator into your backyard and wants their picture taken with it, reduce the heat to a low simmer and add a cup of water so you won't burn down the house before you get back.

Add 2 cans of Campbell's Vegetarian soup. If you don't have that, pick any vegetable looking soup. Chicken and Noodles does not do well. Now if the computer burps outside and someone, who will remain nameless, clicks 42 times to print a document, you'll need to go outside and reboot everything. Add another cup of water, reduce the heat, and try to remember it's on the stove.

When you get back, add some ketchup and mustard. It's where I rinse out the bottles and use that last smidgeon that's been hanging out eluding your grasp. Let it cook for as long as you can, unless a cow is having a calf and you have to go hold the flashlight. In that case, turn it off and cover it. That way it will cool enough for you to put it in the fridge for tomorrow's supper.
Once it's the consistency of thick chili, you're ready to eat. Serve it in a bowl or over brown rice. Add a salad and brown bread and you've got a pretty hearty meal. Unless the phone rings and someone's just got to have you outside taking pictures of the deer that has both male and female plumbing. Somebody's gotta do it!
Claudia