Ettins are not known for their culinary skills. They don't have many recipes in their repertoire. This is one of the few things they do make. I've... refined the recipe slightly. The typical Ettin method generally involves dragging whatever creature they've killed back to their cave and adding it to a pot with some water and whatever fungus they can scrape off the cave walls. Often fragments of whatever plants the animal was grazing on (or happened to be near) will end up in the pot too. It's not uncommon for organs and stomach contents to be included as part of the stew. The pot is rarely emptied or cleaned between batches. More meat and water are simply added to whatever's already in the pot. It's not necessarily the most balanced or flavourful stew. It lacks the vegetables and seasonings that one might normally add. But it is easy and flexible and will keep you on your feet in a pinch even if the flavours (or lack thereof) leave something to be desired.

I chose to make this version with only "stewing beef" and cremini mushrooms. Feel free, however, to replace up to half the (muscle) meat with chopped organs for greater textural variety and authenticity. The mushrooms can also be varied. I generally like to use at least a few cremini, but oyster, king oyster, shiitake, portobello, and/or enoki would all be lovely additions for a little variety.

Ettin Stew

Ingredients

• 500g mushrooms, quartered or roughly chopped
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 1kg stewing beef (or combination of stewing meat and chopped organs)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 20-30 sprigs parsley, roughly chopped
• 1L Red Meat Stock

Directions

1. Cook mushrooms in butter over medium heat until they release their liquid.
2. Once most of the liquid has evaporated, increase heat to medium-high and add the beef.
3. Season with salt and pepper and sear the beef until the outside gets a bit of colour.
4. Add parsley and stock and bring to a boil.
5. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for at least an hour or two.
6. Check seasoning and adjust as necessary.
7. Serve with garlic bread.