You may be familiar with batch cooking or the fact that leftover pizza often tastes even better, but now TikTok introduces a new, effortless approach to food that epitomizes the mantra, ‘work smarter, not harder.’
Introducing the concept of unending stew. Yes, it’s just what it sounds like.
Also referred to as ‘everlasting soup’ (delicious), it’s a specific kind of stew or broth where virtually any edible item is tossed into a pot that is seldom, if ever, cleaned out. The stew persists to simmer heartily as further ingredients are thrown in.
In theory, this stew can endure for decades.
The notion of the perpetual stew finds its roots in the middle ages, believed to have originated in Poland, but it’s witnessing a resurgence on TikTok thanks to creator Annie Rauwerda.
Annie, the person behind the social account @depthsofwikipedia, announced last month her foray into the domain of ceaseless stew. Despite it being mid-summer, she asserts that all seasons are soup seasons for her.
‘This kicks off the rest of my existence’, she proclaimed in a video that has garnered more than 300k views. ‘I’ve always dreamt of doing it, finally, my aspirations are being realized, it’s the summer of perpetual stew.’
In a follow-up video, Annie unveils the start of her stew by having friends over, each contributing a particular ingredient to the slow cook.
Parsley, potatoes, onion, chives, celery, fennel, and rice were all tossed in, and in Annie’s distinctive version of ‘community juice,’ meat isn’t part of the menu.
‘I’ve been rallying everyone I know, inviting them to pop over, bring an ingredient, and incorporate it into the pot,’ she illustrates.
In an extremely heartwarming turn of events, Annie’s stew is now uniting her local community. She assembled posters and distributed leaflets, encouraging people to join her in a park, contribute to the stew, and grab a serving of the stew. Now every Tuesday – or as she likes to call it, ‘Stewsday’, the stew is available to everyone.
This neverending meal has already been cooking for 33 days (and still going strong), with online users wholly engaged, and even a specific website devoted to it.
‘I support this wholeheartedly,’ commented an individual. ‘What a stew-nning concept,’ exclaimed another.
Before you begin fretting about catching an endless stomach bug, provided that you maintain it simmering at a temperature upward of around 94C, all should be well – although there is a heightened risk associated with preparing meals this way.
It is also advisable to strain the stew after every ‘use,’ retaining only the broth, to which fresh ingredients are subsequently added.
