FLY STEW?

Most of you have met old Ben, but
there's one thing I'll tell you:
Ben's one retired cowcamp cook
famous for his stew.

For years we all did wonder
what made it taste that way,
But the recipe Ben kept secret
-- at least until today.

Today, old Ben retired --
real cowpokes tell no lies --
they say around the cowcamp
all-a-sudden there are flies.

Was old Ben cookin' stew from flies?
-- It's awful hard to tell --
or are flies swarmin' round the cattle now
cause they're lonesome for Ben's smell?

:-) cj

This recipe for Hobo Stew I found in Grandma Lula's recipe box. Born Lula Bell Eads on July 15, 1904 in Hardman County, Oregon, in her heyday Lula Hinton was considered one of the best buckaroos in the Owyhee Mountains. I'm proud to say I now own the smooth leather chaps she wore for 53 years. She could rope and ride with the best of 'em. Won a 30.06 rifle and a scope in Oregon State's Big Buck Contest. She ran wild horses, stacked hay, herded, fed and branded cattle right along side Grampa Johnny for years.

If your math is any good a'tall, you've figured out by now that Grandma Lula ain't no spring chicken. She's pert'near 93 years old. She's a happy little thing, but there was no need in askin' for more explicit recipe instructions. I didn't want to bother her with trifles. She's too worried right now about current national events. Says some little puny short guy with fuzz on his lip (Hitler?) is trying to take over the world.

August 1998 Update: In Memory of Lula B. Hinton

What you see below is right off Grandma Lula's recipe card. (If you figure out how much of any particular ingredient goes in, or any of you out there know the complete recipe, email me, would ya?
:-) cj

HOBO STEW

Put Hamburger in bottom of 2 pound Coffee can and pack firm, put in Sliced- Potatoes, onion Carrots, Celery, small can of Tomatoes 1/3 Cup. Garlic Salt, Savor Salt
Put lid on tight, cook 45 minutes. Med high.

I think we can safely assume that you bury that "Coffee can" in the campfire coals. But what do ya s'pose keeps that plastic lid from meltin'?

cj

YET ANOTHER?

Recipe for hobo stew (circa The Great Depression)

1 slice buttered toast
1 cup hot milk
put toast on plate
pour milk over the toast
ain't got no plate
use hand for plate
ain't got no butter
omit the butter
ain't got no bread
omit the toast
ain't got no milk
use water

Recipe received from helpful viewer:
pAUL r. cOUZENS

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