The next morning, they set up a tiny camp and Daryl goes hunting alone. Tracking a squirrel, he takes aim with his crossbow. The squirrel evades him and he realizes with a sinking heart that he has broken one of his six remaining arrows.
Unwilling to risk any more of his dwindling supply, Daryl is successful in killing a rattlesnake for them to share. As they hungrily eat the meat, Beth decides she wants to have a "real drink" since she has never tasted alcohol. Daryl seems to not know how to respond, so he agrees.
They make their way to a fancy golf club bar and Beth tries to sample peach schnapps. Daryl is disgusted by the idea of peach schnapps so he breaks the bottle and tells her that her first drink will be a real one.
After finding a moonshine cabin and playing a drinking game; Daryl reveals that he did not have a job before the world ended. The only thing he had done with his life was follow his brother Merle around.
Beth assures him that he was meant to survive and that he will be the last man standing. She decides that she wants to burn the cabin down. Daryl agrees again to her request and the two use the remaining moonshine as fuel to destroy the terrible little building.
It has been a bizarre night but both are still alive and have a better understanding of each other. Daryl would have insisted that they set aside some of the rattlesnake meat and dry it into jerky. While rummaging around for liquor, they no doubt would have found a least a few canned goods and seasonings.
Rattlesnake stew would be a perfect way to use up the dried meat. Simmered with red wine (or a little moonshine if you have it), sun dried tomatoes and dried soup mix, any jerky becomes almost gourmet.
Use rattlesnake meat if you have it. And for those of us that are not as skilled as Daryl Dixon, substitute regular beef jerky. Optional canned vegetables will make it taste even better.
And when the dead rise; you gotta stay who you are…not who you were.
Mock Rattlesnake and Moonshine Stew
1 bag Beef Jerky (any brand you like)
OR 1 pound of diced rattlesnake meat
1/2 jar Sun Dried Tomatoes (drained and chopped)
1 cup Moonshine, or Dry Red Wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon)
1 package Vegetable Soup Mix (we used Shore Lunch brand)
Optional Ingredients:
1 can potatoes, drained well and diced
1 can carrots, drained well
1 Tbsp. Dried Minced Onion
Over red-hot campfire coals, bring 1 cup of moonshine or wine and 2 cups of water to a boil in a large heavy stock pot or Dutch oven. Add beef jerky (or rattlesnake meat) and sun dried tomatoes. Allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes for the jerky version (or until softened) and ten minutes for the rattlesnake version.
Stir in the remaining water called for on the package directions of the soup mix (Shore Lunch calls for 7 cups of liquid total so you'll need to add four more cups of water).
Add optional ingredients if desired.
Return to a boil and stir in soup mix. Stir well, lower heat (or partially remove from coals) and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Serve immediately.
