Start by heating the canola oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté these until the onion becomes translucent and aromatic. It usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes. This step sets the stage for your stew's depth.

Now, stir in the concentrated tomato paste. Cook it for about a minute. This will intensify the flavor right off the bat.

Next, slowly pour in the chicken stock. Stir to combine everything, allowing the base to come together. The aim here is to create a robust broth that will marry all the ingredients.

It’s time to add in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, sweet corn, lima beans, and bell peppers. Stir these in, allowing every piece to soak in those flavors.

Then add in the smoked pork and cooked chicken. Stir gently to mix without breaking the meat up too much.

At this point, add your barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. These ingredients will impart an amazing sweetness and spice balance. Don't be shy; taste and adjust seasoning as you go!

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for about 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows flavors to meld beautifully.

Once the stew has thickened and your kitchen smells heavenly, you can serve it up. I love drizzling a bit of extra barbecue sauce on top before serving. It adds an additional depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.