MARGIE’S KITCHEN: DAMN GOOD STEW
by Darlene Parman
SEALAND
If someone were to ask you what the smallest country in the world was, what would you guess? Those familiar with geography would quickly answer with Vatican City, and they’d technically be correct. However, there’s another country unrecognized internationally that is 99% smaller than Vatican City: Sealand. It’s only a few miles offshore from England, so why isn’t it more well-known? The Smallest Country You’ve Never Heard Of During World War II, the British constructed Roughs Tower 7 nautical miles off the coast of Suffolk to defend shipping lanes from German attacks. Throughout the war, between 150 and 300 members of the Royal Navy occupied the tower, but by 1956, the last full-time serviceman left the facility, leaving an opportunity for Jack and Jane Moore to squat at the tower and play their pirate radio station “Wonderful Radio London.” Jack and Jane remained at Roughs Tower from 1965 to 1967; in September 1967, Major Paddy Roy Bates ousted the Moores from the fort, claiming it for himself. At this point, he declared the independence of Roughs Tower, naming it the Principality of Sealand. Later that year, the British sent workers to repair a buoy near Sealand, which caused Paddy’s son Michael to fire a warning shot in their direction. This resulted in England summoning Michael to court on firearm charges, which were eventually dropped as Sealand was considered outside of England’s territorial limits. The Bates considered this their first instance of de facto recognition. In 1978, Alexander Achenbach attacked Sealand alongside German and Dutch mercenaries. Their attack proved unsuccessful, resulting in their capture and imprisonment. Germany sent a diplomat to negotiate for Achenbach’s release, which Paddy took as another instance of de facto recognition. Over the years, Sealand officials have created a national flag, a national anthem, an entire currency, and passports. Sealand was even the location of a skateboarding event sponsored by Red Bull in 2008. Paddy Roy Bates passed away in 2012, but his son still runs the operations at Sealand. They continue to hold hope that one day, the world will recognize Sealand’s sovereignty.
There’s no other way to describe this month’s recipe other than ... “Damn Good Stew.” I remember how delicious this stew was on a cold winter night with a big piece of Margie’s (my late great momma to whom “Margie’s Kitchen” is dedicated, who believed the way to a person’s heart and soul is through your cookin’!) cornbread. Of course, I liked to crumble my cornbread into the bowl. The great thing about this stew is that it cooks all day while you work or play. My mom did not have a “Crock Pot” when I was a little girl, but I’m sure this would be perfect for one leaving the heat on low. But I prefer to do it the old fashioned way ... Margie’s way!
Ingredients
• 1 can button
• 2 lbs lean chuck, cubed for stew
mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 to 1 cup Burgundy wine (to taste)
• 2 cans of diced
tomatoes, undrained
• 3 tbsp Minute Tapioca
• 1 large can of tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 6 carrots, chopped
• 3 potatoes, chopped
Directions In an large oven-safe pot, mix all these ingredients except the mushrooms. Bake in a 250 F oven for 5 1/2 to 6 hours. Add the mushrooms 20 minutes before finished cooking.
If you have a recipe you’d like us to share in Margie’s Kitchen, please mail it to us or email it to Info@parmanlaw.com. We’ll feature it in our newsletter or on our website!
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