I’d be lying if I didn’t say the past two weeks have been a bit of a challenge. It all started out with me taking a spill while ice skating with my daughter. I truly thought I just jammed my shoulder, but an x-ray two days later confirmed a break. Broke the neck of the humerus clean through, I did. The next day, my husband went in for hernia surgery (a double!) then a week after that Mohs surgery to remove cancer from his nose. Thank God for generous friends to donate their time (and cooking!) while we got back on our feet, so to speak.
I’m just in a sling (no surgery required) but I’m basically one-armed (again). Once I felt stable enough to heft out the crock pot with one hand, I was able to throw this meal together. Many thanks to my friend Mollie at The Frugal Hausfrau for the inspiration! Since I have no ability to chop anything fresh, much of this came from cans or frozen bags, but feel free to substitute with fresh. The Trader Joe’s potatoes were seasoned with oregano and thyme, so if you add fresh potatoes, add in about a 1/2 teaspoon of each of those with them.
Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew
1 pound boneless skinless chicken (breast or thighs)
1 14.5 ounce can stewed tomatoes with liquid
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with liquid
1 cup frozen lima beans
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen roasted potatoes with bell pepper and onion (I used Trader Joe’s)
2 cups homemade or low sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 or 4 shakes Tobasco sauce
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons spicy barbecue sauce (I used Stubb’s Spicy)
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 to 6, depending on your cooker. When done, shred chicken with a fork in the pot, then serve.
p.s. This is my third fracture of the body in as many years. My friends are recommending a body bubble wrap. 😉
p.s.s. We are headed to Austin and thereabouts for a 10-day vacation for a visit with family and friends, and heading smack dab into South by Southwest (SXSW), the county’s largest film and music festival. What better way to spend time while recuperating?
Oh my gosh, I’m glad everyone is recuperating! Holy cow that’s a lot! But I hafta say I love love love that you did this in the crockpot! As I was making it I was tempted to try the crockpot or you know what…the instant pot! And now that I’ve had the original, I’m looking forward to trying the herbs & seasonings!
Have a safe and wonderful trip, and be careful!!
I had a chance to go skiing with some people a couple weeks ago, but am so glad I declined…It’s been about 15 years since I’ve skied and I was afraid I might fall, and if I did, afraid I might never get back up again!!
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Or break something, like me!! Thanks so much Mollie. xoxo
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ps – has your Doc recommended a bone density test?
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Yes, I’ve had one. I have osteopenia and take loads of calcium and vitamin D.
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Yup, me too.
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Ah that answers my suspicion. So sorry. Still hope you won’t be breaking any more bones.
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🙂
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Best wishes for speedy recovery to you both. I’m amazed by your ability to cook with one hand! The stew looks delicious. 🙂
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Thank you so much Ronit! I have practice. 🙂
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😀
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Oh no, Kathryn. I hope you aren’t in a lot of pain. We don’t have any ice here – maybe that’s a good thing after all. Let everyone pamper you and try to enjoy the downtime. At least you’ll be all set and back to normal for spring. ❤ And thanks for the recipe. Sounds wonderful. 🙂
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Thanks dear! xoxo
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Wow, I don’t envy you – I hope you get better soon. That’s quite a handy emergency recipe – useful for your predicament or when snowed in (something quite real in Britain this week).
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I heard about that Beast from the East! Keep warm!
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Thanks, though it disappeared yesterday and the temperature went up 10ºC today!
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And that, my friend, is one reason I live a sedentary lifestyle. But seriously, sometimes when it rains, it pours. Hope all of Y’all heal quickly. Meantime, I’m living vicariously through you and other wonderful cooks who are nice enough to post online. This looks delicious!
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Thank you so much Adam. You’ve had your share of woes for a lifetime! And I don;t mind at all you reposting your recipes, I missed quite a few before hooking up with you!
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Oh Dear Kathryn! You have been through the ringer! Happy healing on a wonderful vacation! This stew looks delish too!
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Thank you sweetie! Your daily words of positivity mean so much to me. xoxo
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Oh my. So so sorry.
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Thank you Mimi.
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Oh my goodness, you poor thing! You and the fam are in my thoughts. Speedy recovery for all! Your stew looks super nourishing.
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Thank you so much Rachel!
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So sorry about to hear about your shoulder. Follow doctor’s orders and don’t overdo things. I hope your husband’s recovery from the hernia surgery goes well as well as that from the cancer removal. All the best to you both.
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Thank you so much, we do appreciate your well wishes. xo
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Oh boy, you poor thing, when it rains it rains. Wishing you and your husband a speedy recovery and a wonderful vacation.
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Thanks so much Gerlinde, the distraction of a vacation will be welcome. 🙂
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Oh my Kathryn – I’m so sorry to hear about your fall – ouch and then some! I’m not sure I could function with only one hand! Looks like you made a great recipe especially since the weatherman is predicting more snow. Perfect timing for a vacation to get a little R&R 🙂
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Thank you Judi! Looking forward to it!
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The good news is no surgery. Take good care….both of you.
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Thank you Lulu.
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Sounds VERY challenging 😕 enjoy the trip and I hope everyone is well soon x
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Thank you so much Elaine, we are looking forward to it!
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😊
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Woman of Steel! Hefting a crockpot and typing a great post with a broken arm. Get well and enjoy Austin.
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Thank you Darryl, we will!
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The bubble wrap sounds like a good idea. It may also be wise to check your calcium. I had never heard of Brunswick stew. To me it would be a crime to make this with breast rather than thighs.
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Thank you Stephan. I have had the check and take calcium supplements.
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I am glad you are ok KR! Yes friends are amazing!
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Thank you dear! xo
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xoxo
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I hope your body mends well at Austin. By the sound of it, you might even forget about it. Have fun!
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Thanks Karina! Flying out later today!
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Happy travels!!
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Horsefeathers, Kathryn! I am so sorry to hear all that, particularly about your shoulder. When I (went head first down my frong [brick] stairs) got an extra bad sprained ankle, they told me that it would have healed faster if I had broken it… That’s small consolation, but I’m sharing it as hope for a speedy recovery.
Yes, you were blessed and lucky to have people helping you.
This stew sounds marvelous. If you can make it one handed, then maybe, just maybe I can do it with two. LOL, no promises. These days (years) I’m as inept with cooking as you were on the ice rink. Be well. Hugs.
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And happy Women’s Day. You are an inspiration, Kathryn. Hugs.
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❤
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Thanks so much Teagan! (waving from a much warmer Texas.) 🙂
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Kathryn, I hope the healing is coming right along, and that you had a great time in Austin! Hugs.
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Thank you so much Teagan! It was a lot of work the first half of it dealing with family stuff, but the second half was a blast! Finally getting back online, I had a lot to do when I got back. xoxoxo
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You’re pulling at my heartstrings, Kathryn! Love me some good old fashioned Brunswick Stew! It’s a staple where I am from, especially served with NC BBQ!
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Thanks Debbie! Glad it takes you “back home.” 🙂
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You poor thing, I can’t believe what has been happening. Enjoy recuperating and I’ll enjoy a bit of your stew.
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Thank you so much Karen! Sorry for the late reply, finally back online after a much needed vacation. 🙂
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Hearing from you at anytime makes me smile. I hope your vacation was lovely.
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Awww, and that made me smile too. Yes, we got a lot accomplished with family business in the first half then had a blast enjoying the sights, sounds, and food of Austin the second.
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Whew, broken bones are no fun. I hope that you are well on the road to recovery. The stew looks wonderful.
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Thank you Sheryl! The splint is now off and the bone is healing on schedule. 🙂
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Thanks for the link-up!
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