5 Gallon Black Iron Pot Recipes

BRUNSWICK STEW FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Put a 14-quart cast iron pot on outdoor gas flame (be sure it is secure and won't tip over and that children are kept away).
• Put in about 1 gallon of water, whole chicken (discard giblets) and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
• Let boil 30 minutes or until the chicken is done.
• When the chicken is done, remove it from the pot, leaving the broth boiling, and set it aside to cool.
• Add all vegetables and barbecued pork to the chicken broth remaining in the pot.
• Debone and shred the chicken meat and add to the pot.
• Add enough V-8 juice to get the desired consistency.
• Add garlic and seasonings.
• Cook on high simmer/low boil for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to keep vegetables from settling to the bottom of the pot.
• Taste before serving and add additional seasoning if necessary.

MARY AND CHARLIE CHARLES' HOPKINS COUNTY STEW

Steps:

• Cook chicken until tender in a 10-gallon (or larger) cast iron pot outdoors, over a hardwood fire. Use just enough water to cover the chicken as it simmers. When chicken is tender, remove it from pot and reserve broth. There should be about 4 gallons left after chicken is finished cooking. Bone, skin and dice chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Place diced chicken, cream-style corn, tomatoes, vegetable juice, tomato juice, potatoes, onions, chili powder, and seasoning salt into the pot of reserved broth and heat over open fire stirring frequently to prevent scorching until potatoes are tender. Add sugar, then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to simmer stew over fire pit until serving time.
• Transfer to individual bowls and melt a small amount of butter into stew just before serving. Serve with crackers or cornbread, cheddar cheese and dill pickles.