Brunswick Stew

• 1 onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 lb / 455 g shin of beef or flank steak

Put the onion in a large stockpot or saucepan with the beef. Cover with the water and simmer for 1 hour. Put in the chicken, having first removed any excess fat from the cavity, the tomatoes and the herbs, and cloves. Simmer for another hour. Remove the chicken and beef from the pot, add the potatoes and okra, if using, and continue to simmer. Remove the meat from the bones, discarding these an