Clearwater, Florida Blog

FROGMORE STEW, aka LOW COUNTRY BOIL, A SOUTH CAROLINA LOW COUNTRY TRADITION....

Have you ever heard of or eaten this one-pot wonder called Frogmore Stew or as it is now called, Low Country Boil? If you haven’t, you need to try it one time and you will love it! Great for hosts and hostesses who like to entertain, enjoy easy clean-up, feed lots of friends and family, and also be able to relax and enjoy themselves at the same time.

You can cook this inside on the stove or on an outside cooker. You can also cook this over an outdoor fire at the beach or while camping or just about anywhere you want.

You will need a huge pot, the more people the bigger the pot. I prefer to put a steamer tray in the bottom of the pot and let everything steam. The other option is to fill the pot with water and boil the ingredients.

You will need to prepare a large table or picnic table by covering the table with layers of newspapers. After the newspapers are in place cover them with some of your old large towels. On a separate small table you can lay out the condiments, such as butter, ketchup, etc. to your taste. Also the paper plates, plastic eating utensils, and napkins.

Now it is time to start filling the pot. I will give a recipe for 20 people and it can be multiplied for more.

Layer in the bottom of the pot: 3 cut up chickens, 3 lbs. kielbasa (or other sausage) cut into 1 inch pieces, 25 new potatoes, 4 lbs whole small sweet onions and 25 pieces of corn on the cob. As you are doing the layers, sprinkle each layer with old bay seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.

Now, if you are using a steamer in the bottom of the pot add 3 cups of water. If you are going to boil the meal, add enough water to cover the top layer. Turn to high and when pot comes to steam or boil, turn to medium high and be sure and keep the lid on and cook for 1.5 hours.

Now add a layer of 8 dozen cherry or small clams washed and unopened. Add 6-8 lbs of unshelled shrimp sprinkling each layer with old bay and seasonings. Bring back to steam or boil and cook covered for another 10-15 minutes or until clams open and shrimp are done.

Test ingredients for doneness; drain all water from pot, then dump the entire pot onto the table you previously prepared with newspaper and towels. Everyone grab a plate and dig in.

And don’t forget the iced down beer!

When the party is over just throw the towels in the wash and newspapers and scraps in the trash.

Have fun!