Recipe: quartermaster’s stew

Quartermaster’s Stew
A time-honored Scouting recipe that is easy to make.

Serves 6 to 8 scouts.

2 pounds hamburger
2 cans mixed vegetables (save liquid)
2 cans potatoes (drain off liquid and discard)
1 packet stew seasoning mix

Optional
1 can stewed tomatoes
Sliced fresh mushrooms
Additional vegetables, such as beans, corn

Preheat Dutch oven on fire, add small amount of cooking oil, and brown hamburger. Drain grease. Stir in stew seasoning mix, add a bit of water, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.

Add vegetables with liquid. Chop up potatoes into small chunks and add to stew. Add small quantity of water if need to cover contents.

Place oven on bed of charcoal – 8 to 10 briquettes (more in winter) on aluminum foil, shiny side up. Cover with lid and put 2 to 3 times as many coals on top. Cook about 15 minutes.

Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Cook until potatoes are tender and stew is bubbly and hot through- 15 to 20 minutes depending upon heat level, stirring occasionally.