Country Harvest Pot

Embrace the cozy vibes of autumn with this incredibly satisfying Rustic Harvest Stew. Bursting with the rich, savory flavors of Italian sausage, hearty potatoes, sweet corn, creamy polenta, and a touch of unique okra, this stew promises a truly comforting and filling meal that will leave you completely satisfied.

Contents

Discovering the Delight of Okra in Our Rustic Harvest Stew

When you saw “okra” listed among the ingredients for this Rustic Harvest Stew, did a flicker of hesitation cross your mind? Perhaps you’re thinking, “Okra? I’m not so sure about that.” Rest assured, you’re not alone. This very recipe marked my first adventure into cooking with okra, and I approached it with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, I’m thrilled to report that this dish was an absolute revelation for my entire family. Every single person at the table loved it, especially my youngest son, who simply couldn’t get enough of this flavorful stew. It truly transformed a kitchen uncertainty into a family favorite, proving that sometimes, stepping outside your culinary comfort zone yields the most delicious rewards.

To be completely honest, my initial enthusiasm for trying this recipe was almost overshadowed by my apprehension about the okra. I even found myself Googling “what is a good substitute for okra” more than once! But a little voice inside me finally said, “Just try it. Get out of your comfort zone and prepare it exactly as Debra intended.” You might be wondering, “Who is Debra?” Well, she’s the brilliant food blogger and creative culinary mind behind the fantastic food blog, Bowl Me Over. Her unwavering passion for soups and stews is evident in every recipe she shares, and her expertise shines through, even with ingredients I initially questioned.

Joining the Fun: The Freaky Friday Blog Swap

Debra was my secret assignment for our latest “Freaky Friday” event. For those unfamiliar, Freaky Friday is a delightful quarterly tradition among a group of food bloggers. Each season, I organize a blog swap where we’re secretly assigned another participant’s blog. The challenge is to choose a recipe, cook or bake it, and keep our assignment and chosen dish a complete secret until a coordinated reveal. The excitement builds each season, and that thrilling reveal moment is happening right now, with all of us sharing our creations simultaneously!

A Deep Dive into Bowl Me Over: Debra’s Culinary World

I was absolutely thrilled to draw Debra’s blog for this round of Freaky Friday. Not only is she an incredibly kind and genuine person, but she also consistently creates truly remarkable dishes. Debra calls Fresno, California, home, where she lives with her husband. We share a kindred spirit, particularly in our love for family, the joy of cooking, and our cherished pets. Debra even hosts a weekly online live feed where she guides viewers through the preparation of a delicious dish, offering real-time tips and insights. I highly encourage you to take a moment to explore her blog, Bowl Me Over, and connect with her on social media. Her culinary journey is inspiring, and her community is warm and welcoming.

The Sweet Agony of Choice: Selecting a Recipe

Deciding on just one recipe from Debra’s extensive and delicious collection at Bowl Me Over proved to be quite the delightful challenge. It was definitely my most difficult task! As this was our fall edition of Freaky Friday, I aimed to select a recipe that perfectly captured the essence of the season. I found myself pinning countless of her tantalizing salad recipes, planning to try them all eventually, but I knew I couldn’t share one of them today. Seriously, though, you *must* take a peek at her incredible Iceberg Wedge Salad with Homemade Bleu Cheese Dressing!

That stunning salad is absolutely on my “must-make” list. Of course, given her blog’s name, “Bowl Me Over,” it’s no surprise that Debra’s array of soups and stews is incredibly vast and inviting. My children are particularly eager for me to try her Easy Homemade Ramen Bowls. Beyond that, she offers a treasure trove of breakfast recipes, like her convenient Overnight Oats, and an entire section dedicated to Homemade Jams. I’ve been dreaming of making her Ja Makin’ Me Crazy Mango Jam ever since she first posted it in July – it’s definitely on my culinary bucket list! My point is, take some time to settle in and thoroughly browse all the deliciousness waiting for you at Bowl Me Over!

The Perfect Fall Choice: Rustic Harvest Stew

Ultimately, after much delicious deliberation, I landed on this incredible Rustic Harvest Stew. It just radiates “fall” in every sense, don’t you agree? The rich colors, the comforting aroma, and the hearty ingredients make it the quintessential dish for cooler weather. It promised to be a warm embrace in a bowl, perfect for those crisp autumn evenings, and it certainly delivered.

Crafting Your Rustic Harvest Stew: A Step-by-Step Guide

This delightful stew begins with browning some savory ground Italian sausage alongside a generous pinch of red pepper flakes in a large Dutch oven. The red pepper flakes infuse the sausage with a subtle warmth and a gentle kick right from the start. Once the sausage is beautifully browned and fragrant, carefully drain off any excess grease. This crucial step prevents the stew from becoming oily and ensures that the flavors remain clean and vibrant. After draining, toss in the cubed potatoes, chopped onions, thinly sliced okra, and fragrant minced garlic.

Sauté these aromatic vegetables for approximately 5 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly and their flavors to begin melding together. The potatoes will start to absorb the richness of the sausage, and the onions and garlic will become translucent and sweet. Next, incorporate the sweet corn and polenta into the mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring the polenta is well-distributed. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance all the natural flavors. Finally, pour in the chicken stock, give it another good stir to combine all the ingredients, cover the Dutch oven, and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. As it simmers, the polenta will work its magic, thickening the stew to a perfect, comforting consistency, making every spoonful a rich and hearty experience.

Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Stew

We served our Rustic Harvest Stew alongside warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits drizzled with a touch of honey. The light sweetness of the honey and the tender texture of the biscuits provided a wonderful contrast to the savory, robust stew, creating a perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying meal. Other excellent pairings include a crusty loaf of artisanal bread for dipping, a side of fresh cornbread, or even a simple green salad to lighten the plate. This stew is also fantastic for meal prepping, as its flavors tend to deepen and improve overnight, making leftovers an absolute treat.

I personally chose to add a bit more red pepper flakes to my stew than Debra’s original recipe called for. I truly enjoyed the extra touch of heat it imparted, which elevated the stew’s profile even further. This personalized adaptation reminded me a great deal of Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana—a beloved favorite in our household! That familiar comfort and warmth made this Rustic Harvest Stew an instant classic for us, proving that a little extra spice can go a long way in creating a truly memorable dish.

Explore all my past Freaky Friday recipes today for more culinary inspiration!

Here is the complete list of all the talented Freaky Friday participants and the incredible recipes they created for our fall round! I encourage you to visit each and every one of them; you just might discover your next favorite recipe and expand your own culinary horizons!

An Affair from the Heart – Rustic Harvest Stew

Take Two Tapas – Pepperoni Pizza Packets

LeMoine Family Kitchen – Mixed Berry Muffins

Hostess at Heart – Spicy Sriracha Snack Mix

Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Easy Black Bean Soup

Bowl Me Over – Spicy Thai Noodle Soup with Shrimp

Seduction in the Kitchen – Marinated Olives with Red Wine Vinaigrette

The Foodie Affair – Unstuffed Bell Pepper Casserole with Cauliflower Crumbles

Full Belly Sisters – Easy Coconut Macaroons

Who Needs A Cape? – Loaded Slow Cooker Pierogies

Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Italian Stuffed Pepper Cauliflower Rice Skillet

A Dish of Daily Life – Banana Crumb Cake with Pecans

The Devilish Dish – Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

Mildly Meandering – Apple Cake Sundae

Life Currents – Pineapple Serrano Hummus

Plattertalk – Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Pic Nic – Dark Chocolate Pecan Tart

Honey & Birch – Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Appetizer

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Rustic Harvest Stew

This hearty stew will have you embracing the crisp fall weather. Rich flavors of Italian sausage, potatoes, sweet corn, polenta and okra will have your tummy full and satisfied.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Cuisine: American/Italian

Keyword: Rustic Harvest Stew

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 353kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

1 lb mild Italian sausage
1/2 pound okra, thinly sliced
4 cups gold potatoes, skins left on, cubed
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup polenta
1 cup frozen sweet corn
4 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

Brown sausage and red pepper flakes in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
Add in the okra, garlic, potatoes & onions. Sauté for about 4 minutes, then add the corn and polenta. Mix well, seasoning with salt and pepper.
Add the chicken stock, give it a good stir, cover it and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through.

Notes

Recipe from Bowl Me Over

Nutrition