Hunter's Stew Review

[Kingwell]

So I was initially fascinated with this Hunter's Stew when one BB poster hated the photo of it on October's cover so much they started a thread about it. Then I was drawn to it for some reason--maybe the yummy-looking array of fall vegies cut in such tidy cubes.

ANYWAY, so my best buddy Betsy and I decided to make it for my supper club tonight. I'm glad I had her help because it took both of us to get it done! We started on it yesterday, and did various steps through this evening, and considering all the work, it just didn't do it for us. It needed about three times the amount of salt the recipe called for,and even then, it was just kind of so-so.

Maybe it's our fault for substituting a whole chicken for the whole duck, chicken parts, and sausage it called for, but we just didn't think it needed that much meat, or that much expense, frankly.

We didn't skimp anywhere else though--used good red wine, fresh vegetables (diced just so), and still, so so. Plus it didn't even fit in my seven quart Dutch oven! So be warned, it's a LOT Of food.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who made this. Overall, I am glad I tried it, but I probably won't make it again. On a positive note, my fellow supper clubbers said they loved it, and I hope they meant it, but it is possible they were being kind.

[Peggy]

Thanks for the review! I have been thinking about making it for awhile and if I did I would substitute chicken for the duck also. Will be interested in seeing if anyone else has made it and what they think...:)

Peggy

[ShanaG]

Kristen,
I genuinely liked the soup :) I love bean soups, and I really liked the turnips and wine in the Hunter's Stew. I reheated some for lunch today, and thought the flavor of the wine was more pronounced than last night. We will definitely be looking for a bottle of that wine. Anyway, given the fact that this stew was so labor-intensive, I probably would not attempt it myself, but certainly enjoyed the fruit of your labor :)

[Varaile]

I had DH make this back in the beginning of October. I thought I posted a review but it seems to have wandered away!

Anyway, first thing we did was halve the recipe! I saw that it fed twelve and knowing how some of these recipes turn out I immediately halved it. As it was, we had 3 meals out of it!

We subbed pheasant for the chicken/duck, and inadvertently added venison (I had some venison steak thawing on the counter for supper and DH thought he was supposed to put it in the stew, so in it went!). I left out the sausage altogether as I don't care for sausage (turkey ro not). Otherwise the recipe was done as written.

DH complained that it was a putzy dish, taking him most of the afternoon to cook it. We let it sit overnight as recommended. I served it with sourdough bread and the ceasar salad recipe. Everyone really liked it (except me). :o The flavors melded well, the meat turned out tender and the broth was just the right consistancy to be sopped up with the bread. I did round out the meal with the Fall Pear Gallete ("Pear Pizza" as my Dad called it).

I agree with Kingwell. I was glad I tried it, the company enjoyed it, but I probably won't make it again.

[Kingwell]

Shana, thanks for your kind input. (:

I just wanted to add in that after a day to sit, and significantly more salt than the recipe called for, it did improve significantly in taste.

Kristin