Maine Hunter’s Stew

📜 Collection: Dwayne Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Jean | 📂 Category: Entrees A classic, slow-simmered layered Maine Hunter’s Stew featuring savory ground beef and bacon topped with thinly sliced vegetables. This hearty, comforting dish is best prepared a day ahead to let the rich flavors meld together perfectly.

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Prep Time	Cook Time	Inactive / Chill Time	Yield / Servings
25 mins	1 hr 30 mins	None	6 servings

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🔪 Key Equipment

• Large heavy pot with tight-fitting lid
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board

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Ingredients

Base & Meat Layers

Measurements	Ingredients	Prep / Notes
6-8 slices	Bacon	sliced
1 1/2 - 2 lbs.	Ground Beef	lean hamburger
To taste	Salt	used to season each layer
To taste	Black Pepper	used to season each layer

Vegetable Layers

Measurements	Ingredients	Prep / Notes
2 medium	Onion	sliced thin
3 stalks	Celery	sliced thin
3 medium	Carrots	sliced thin
3-4 medium	Potatoes	sliced thin
3 medium	Tomatoes	sliced thin
1/4 cup	Celery Leaves	chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Build the Base

1. Line the bottom of a large heavy pot with the 6-8 slices bacon.
2. Spread the 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. ground beef evenly over the bacon.
3. Heat the pot over medium heat until you can smell the bacon cooking well.

Step 2: Layer the Vegetables

4. Begin adding the vegetable layers on top of the meat in this exact order: first the 2 medium onions, then the 3 stalks celery, 3 medium carrots, 3-4 medium potatoes, 3 medium tomatoes, and finally the 1/4 cup celery leaves.
5. Be sure to season each individual layer with salt and black pepper as you build them.

Step 3: Simmer and Serve

6. Cover the pot tightly with its lid and simmer on low heat for a long time, until the juices bubble vigorously and the potatoes are completely tender and cooked through.
7. To serve, cut the stew into wedges like a pie, making sure to scoop all the way to the bottom of the pot so each serving contains a portion of every delicious layer.

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💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: This stew is much tastier when cooked a day ahead and reheated. Store covered in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stovetop before serving.

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Original Recipe Scan