Meat hodgepodge, or simply "hodgepodge," is a comforting dish that combines various types of meat with vegetables in a flavorful stew. It's a great way to use up leftover meats or create a hearty meal from scratch. Here's a basic recipe for Meat Hodgepodge:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cubed
- 1 lb (450g) pork shoulder or lamb, cubed (or a mix of meats)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup green beans or peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Brown the meat
- Heat oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Brown meat: Add the cubed beef and pork (or lamb) and brown on all sides. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Remove the meat and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the vegetables
- Cook onions and garlic: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3: Combine ingredients
- Add vegetables and meat: Return the browned meat to the pot. Add the sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, diced bell pepper, and green beans (or peas).
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef or vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Simmer the stew
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Stir occasionally.
Step 5: Serve
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the hodgepodge hot, with crusty bread or over rice.
Serving suggestions:
- A side of crusty bread or cornbread complements this hearty stew nicely.
- You can also serve it with a simple green salad for added freshness.
Enjoy your comforting and flavorful meat hodgepodge!
