Mulligan stew (food) facts for kids

Mulligan stew is a simple type of stew. It is known for being made from whatever ingredients are available. This stew was often prepared by American hobos in their camps during the early 1900s. Hobos were people who traveled around looking for work, especially during tough economic times.

Preparing Mulligan stew at the Hotel de Gink, a place that helped homeless people.

A special kind of mulligan stew is called "community stew." This stew is made when several homeless people combine whatever food they have. They might also use food they have collected. Community stews are often made at "hobo jungles." These are campsites used by homeless people. Sometimes, these stews are also made at events that help homeless people.

What is Mulligan Stew?

Mulligan stew is a dish made from whatever "odds and ends" or ingredients are on hand. It's about using what you have. A newspaper from 1900 described how mulligan stew was made. It showed how different people worked together to create the meal.

Here is how it was often done:

• Five or six hobos would team up.
• One person would start a fire and find a large can.
• Others would gather ingredients like meat, potatoes, bread, onions, salt, and pepper.
• All the ingredients were put into the can.
• Then, the mixture was boiled until it was cooked through.
• Sometimes, if they could find coffee, they would make that too.

A "beggar stew" was a type of mulligan stew made without any meat.

Ingredients and History

The word "Mulligan" is a common last name in Ireland. So, Mulligan stew is like an Irish stew. It usually includes meat, potatoes, and vegetables. But it can also have anything else that can be found or gathered.

In the Appalachian region, a similar dish is called a burgoo. This stew might include ingredients like possum or squirrel. To make mulligan stew, you only need a pot and a fire. The hobo who prepared the stew was sometimes called the "mulligan mixer."

During the Great Depression, many people lost their jobs and homes. Homeless men, or hobos, would often sleep in "hobo jungles." These were campsites near railway lines. At these camps, there was often a large campfire. People would bring their own food and add it to a shared pot. This created a bigger and more varied meal for everyone. After eating, they would often tell stories and spend time together.