3065. BIGOS (HUNTER'S STEW)

serves 6-8


1 large cabbage
salt and pepper
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 lb. bacon, diced
1/2 lb. each: boneless veal, pork, lamb, and beef, cubed
2 large onions, chopped
2 large tart apples, peeled and chopped
2 cups beef broth
1/2 Polish sausage

Shred the cabbage and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let stand for 1 hour. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a heavy pot with lid and fry the bacon cubes. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve. Brown cubed meat well and add onions and apples to brown. Season with salt and pepper. Press out the water from the cabbage. Add to the meat along with remaining butter and fry lightly, turning mixture over with a fork. Add broth to stew. Put the lid on the pot, leaving a small vent, and simmer slowly fro 2 1/2 hours. Slice sausage and add to stew. Add reserved bacon and simmer for 1/2 hour longer.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Horizon Cookbook: An Illustrated History of Eating and Drinking through the Ages, by the Editors of Horizon Magazine. American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., 1968