Tandy Ellis's Burgoo

Tandy Ellis's Burgoo
Tandy Ellis's Burgoo
For many years Tandy Ellis, the Kentucky wit and raconteur, ran a daily column in the Louisville Courier-Journal. It was considered quite an honor to be invited to his sanctum (Rambeau Flats) at his home in Ghent, Kentucky. Once, when I published a recipe for burgoo which called for cabbage, he took exception and sent me his own version of this distinctive Kentucky dish. He wrote: "I have been asked many times for my recipe for burgoo, especially for home use. I learned to make burgoo from Gus Jaubert of Lexington, and from several of the other old-time makers of Kentucky burgoo. I trailed with Gus Jaubert on one occasion when he went to Ohio and served 10,000 people. He had one kettle that held 600 gallons. I have made burgoo for several meetings. My recipe to serve at the home for about 8 people* follows":
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: 8 to 20 servings
American Soup/Stew Bean Beef Chicken Lamb Tomato Kentucky Derby Legume Tailgating Party
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • Carbohydrate 22 g(7%)
  • Cholesterol 103 mg(34%)
  • Fat 25 g(39%)
  • Fiber 5 g(20%)
  • Protein 31 g(62%)
  • Saturated Fat 10 g(50%)
  • Sodium 1516 mg(63%)
  • Calories 429

Preparation Put the beef, lamb, and dismembered chicken in a soup kettle with water, salt, black and red pepper. An old-fashioned iron kettle was specified by Mr. Ellis, but any heavy aluminum or metal kettle with a tight-fitting lid will do. Let this come to a hard boil, reduce the heat, and simmer about 2 hours with the lid on. Add potatoes, onions, and at intervals of 10 minutes, the butterbeans, carrots, green peppers. Then add corn and simmer for 2 hours or until mixture seems very thick. Watch carefully so that it does not stick. Add more water from time to time if necessary, but use as little as possible. Add okra and tomatoes and the garlic and let simmer another 1 1/2 hours, or until these vegetables too are done and blended with the others. Mr. Ellis insisted that the stew should cook for 7 hours, but 4 to 5 hours should be quite sufficient. As soon as soup is taken from stove, stir the parsley into it. This soup improves by standing and can be kept for a long time in the refrigerator. It is delicious when reheated. Serve with corn pones and follow it with a piece of pie—a most satisfactory repast, Kentucky style. I disagree with Mr. Ellis's figures. I have served 20 people with this recipe. But if it is kept in the refrigerator it can be used for several days. From Out of Kentucky Kitchens by Marion Flexner. Copyright © 1989 by The University Press of Kentucky. Reprinted with permission from The University Press of Kentucky

Preparation Put the beef, lamb, and dismembered chicken in a soup kettle with water, salt, black and red pepper. An old-fashioned iron kettle was specified by Mr. Ellis, but any heavy aluminum or metal kettle with a tight-fitting lid will do. Let this come to a hard boil, reduce the heat, and simmer about 2 hours with the lid on. Add potatoes, onions, and at intervals of 10 minutes, the butterbeans, carrots, green peppers. Then add corn and simmer for 2 hours or until mixture seems very thick. Watch carefully so that it does not stick. Add more water from time to time if necessary, but use as little as possible. Add okra and tomatoes and the garlic and let simmer another 1 1/2 hours, or until these vegetables too are done and blended with the others. Mr. Ellis insisted that the stew should cook for 7 hours, but 4 to 5 hours should be quite sufficient. As soon as soup is taken from stove, stir the parsley into it. This soup improves by standing and can be kept for a long time in the refrigerator. It is delicious when reheated. Serve with corn pones and follow it with a piece of pie—a most satisfactory repast, Kentucky style. I disagree with Mr. Ellis's figures. I have served 20 people with this recipe. But if it is kept in the refrigerator it can be used for several days. From Out of Kentucky Kitchens by Marion Flexner. Copyright © 1989 by The University Press of Kentucky. Reprinted with permission from The University Press of Kentucky