Cowboy Cook Shack - Supper in a Hurry

In the old West a ranch's "cook shack" was a world intertwined with, yet separate from the life of the cowboy. Ruled over by an obstinate master cook, one of the few permanent members of the outfit, he wielded a lot more power than the migratory cooks who filled in on the cattle roundups and out on the trail. The master cook often slept in his domain, the cook shack, rather than in the bunkhouse with the rest of the men. He was noted for demanding proper respect for his role in their lives. He was not above reinforcing that respect with the broad end of a skillet. Why so much power? For the men, he provided one of those single important elements, along with sleep, that a cowboy needed to remain fit for a life both moving and hard. Food. Good food, and lots of it. A ranch with a cook who wasn't a decent cook, had a hard time keeping good men, and that was not good business in the old West.


So when hungry hands show up after a round up or a shoot out and there's nothing in the fridge but part of a leftover rotisserie chicken and a few dry staples, what to make?

click to enlarge

Chicken Barley Stew
3 generous cups of leftover rotisserie chicken

3 teaspoons chicken bullion granules
4 and a half cups water.

1 small jar of your favorite salsa

1 large can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 can green chilies drained

1 small can tomato paste

1 and 1/4 cups corn (I used Farmer Franks, the best!)

1 can pinto beans - drained

1 Tablespoons Penzey's chili 9000 seasoning

1 teaspoon Penzey's ancho chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon wild honey

1 cup quick cooking barley

Mix all ingredients but barley in a large pot and simmer on low for 15-30 minutes. (Sorry Pace, what I had on hand was Mrs. Renfro's Chipotle Corn Salsa, yum!) Add barley and simmer on low-medium covered, for 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered 5 minutes. Add more water if too thick for your taste. Serve in bowls with sour cream, cheese, and saltine crackers.

I think even Cookie would be proud of a supper this good, this quick.