Bouja(New Smaller Version)
A hearty, flavorful stew combining beef, chicken, and vegetables, perfect for family gatherings and comfort meals with rich broths and savory meats.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 lb beef roast
- 1 to 1 1/2 lb oxtail
- 5 to 6 lb chicken ⓘ
- 2 heads cabbage ⓘ
- 8 to 10 onions ⓘ
- 1 green pepper ⓘ
- 5 lb carrots ⓘ
- 2 rutabaga ⓘ
- 10 lb potatoes ⓘ
- 2 bunches celery ⓘ
- 3 oz Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 4 quarts home-canned tomatoes ⓘ
- 4 cans (15 oz) tomato sauce ⓘ
- 4 cans green beans with liquid ⓘ
- 4 cans peas with liquid ⓘ
- 4 cans whole kernel corn with liquid
- 1/8 lb salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp garlic ⓘ
- 2 oz parsley ⓘ
- 1 box bay leaves ⓘ
Instructions
- Early morning, put beef and oxtail in a large crock pot covered with water.
- Put chicken in a second large crock pot covered with water.
- Cook all day, covered.
- In the evening, remove beef and all bones from broth to a bowl.
- Allow to cool until it can be handled.
- Pull all meat off bones and return meat to broth.
- Do the same with chicken, remove from broth, debone and return meat to broth.
- Put both in refrigerator overnight.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the beef and chicken before adding them to the crock pots. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can add a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking. Feel free to substitute the vegetables with seasonal options like squash or turnips. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and beans as protein.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Bouja in large bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the flavorful broth. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a light salad or a side of Aunt Belle'S Cheese Soup for a comforting touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then warm in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bouja(New Smaller Version) contains roughly 4774 calories, with 129g protein, 826g carbohydrates, and 164g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (1111% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (714% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2763mg per serving (120% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of meat for Bouja?
Absolutely! While the traditional recipe uses beef and chicken, you can experiment with other meats like pork or turkey. Just ensure that you adjust the cooking times accordingly, especially if using leaner cuts.
How do I adjust the recipe for a smaller serving size?
To make a smaller batch, you can halve the quantities of all ingredients. This will still yield a hearty stew, perfect for a smaller family or gathering. Adjust cooking time slightly, checking for doneness earlier.
What can I do if I don't have all the vegetables listed?
No worries! Bouja is quite flexible. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, such as bell peppers, sweet potatoes, or even frozen mixed vegetables. Just keep the overall volume similar for best results.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).