The confluence of late summer and the bluegrass political season mean it’s time for Kentucky Burgoo. A favorite place for both is the 140 year old Fancy Farm picnic in Western Kentucky. It is famous for the food, foibles and faux pas of politicians stumping for statewide office.
Wild game is used in traditional recipes with three different meats like squirrel, deer and rabbit or more exotic choices like possum and raccoon. However, if you’re a squeamish city-dweller you can make it with chicken, pork and beef, but still call it burgoo.
Restaurants use chicken and beef because of the large quantities required. Unfortunately they tend to offer a thinner version that is more akin to soup than stew. We don’t suffer the same constraints, so we’re free to make it as nature intended.
There are no limitations on vegetables, so we throw in a smorgasbord with a myriad of seasonings and create a thick, scrumptious stew. Cook it down slowly until a spoon will stand straight up and you have real Kentucky burgoo!
Find it online: https://www.cooksavorcelebrate.com/kentucky-burgoo/