#world cuisine

Traditionally Hodge Podge is a stew made with cream, butter and freshly harvested local garden vegetables. While potatoes, carrots, beans (yellow, green or both) and peas are the usual base, this recipe lends well to tinkering and many Nova Scotian families have their own slight variations (as many traditional family recipes do)

Recipe:

Potatoes, quartered or halved (depending on size and type)
Carrots, chopped
Beans (green, yellow or both)
Peas, shelled
1 cup half & half cream (you can use heavy cream or milk depending on preference)
½ cup butter
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add potatoes and carrots to large pot with enough water to cover them and let them boil until tender

2.Once the potatoes and carrots are tender add all other vegetables and boil until all are tender

3. Once all vegetables are cooked, drain vegetables and return pot to stove on medium heat

4.  Add milk or cream and butter and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste

Tip: Most recipes have varying amounts of vegetables; if you prefer your stew to have more cream broth, add a smaller amount of vegetables to the mixture. If you prefer more vegetables add less cream/milk. It’s truly a ‘family recipe’ that allows you to adjust to your own family’s taste.

Traditionally Hodge Podge is served as a main dish, but can also be served as a side dish with grilled chicken or beef