We used to go out, from time to time, with the founder of Oregon Trail Wagon Train Rides, in Bayard, Nebraska, in the shadow of Chimney Rock. These were multi-day affairs, riding in the actual ruts of the old Oregon Trail, while replicating the plains portion of the wagon trains.
He called one of the meals served 40 mile stew. It’s a great campfire meal, whether you’re on the Oregon Trail, or just camping out. Or even as a backyard cook.
Note that there are no ingredient amounts given. You just have to eyeball things, and use amounts based on the size of your pot and the size of the crew you’re feeding. So, basically, what we have is a procedure, rather than a recipe per se.
Last time we were out with Gordon, Friend Wife made her Colonial Apple Cake for dessert with this stew. He offered me three ponies for that woman if she’d make another. Which she did. But I turned down his offer. I told him I couldn’t consider less than five ponies for a cook that good. Which accounted for one of her rendezvous camp names later on.
Ahhh. Grand times on the prairie.
40 Mile Stew
Stew meat
Chopped onions
Diced potatoes
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced bell peppers
Sausage patties
Salt & pepper
Cheddar cheese
Saute the stew meat, onions, and potatoes in bottom of a kettle or Dutch oven until meat is browned. Cover with layers of tomatoes, peppers, and sausage patties. Season with salt & pepper.
Simmer until broth forms from the veggies & sausage is cooked. Top with slices of cheddar and cook until cheese melts.
He called one of the meals served 40 mile stew. It’s a great campfire meal, whether you’re on the Oregon Trail, or just camping out. Or even as a backyard cook.
Note that there are no ingredient amounts given. You just have to eyeball things, and use amounts based on the size of your pot and the size of the crew you’re feeding. So, basically, what we have is a procedure, rather than a recipe per se.
Last time we were out with Gordon, Friend Wife made her Colonial Apple Cake for dessert with this stew. He offered me three ponies for that woman if she’d make another. Which she did. But I turned down his offer. I told him I couldn’t consider less than five ponies for a cook that good. Which accounted for one of her rendezvous camp names later on.
Ahhh. Grand times on the prairie.
40 Mile Stew
Stew meat
Chopped onions
Diced potatoes
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced bell peppers
Sausage patties
Salt & pepper
Cheddar cheese
Saute the stew meat, onions, and potatoes in bottom of a kettle or Dutch oven until meat is browned. Cover with layers of tomatoes, peppers, and sausage patties. Season with salt & pepper.
Simmer until broth forms from the veggies & sausage is cooked. Top with slices of cheddar and cook until cheese melts.
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