Perpetual stew, also known as the hunter’s pot, is a cooking pot that never runs dry.
It always had soup, and the ingredients were replenished as necessary. The content of this pot could include everything and anything, ranging from hunted animal meat to vegetables.
The perpetual stew helps preserve food for later use since the broth was boiled all year long. It uses heat to prevent bacterial growth.
This is an ideal method to save you when food is scarce. As an off-gridder, you can view the hunter’s pot as a way of cooking and ensuring you have at least a soup when meat is unavailable.
In this article, we will explain what a perpetual port is and state some perpetual stew recipes. Keep reading for detailed information.
Contents
What Is Perpetual Stew?
A perpetual stew or hunter’s stew is a pot of soup that never runs dry for years. The true meaning of perpetual stew is constant fire.
It was constantly heated for as long as possible. The idea came from Europe and is still in use today.
During the pioneer times in North America, pioneers held a kettle of soup over the fire. People in the neighborhood would share from it.
A stale bread would accompany the soup. A dip of the bread into that unending kettle of soup was not only satisfying but also filling.
One of the primary features of the perpetual soup is the ever-changing flavor. Many people claimed that it was delicious because you do not know the taste to expect makes it ever tasty.
The flavors depended on the ingredients added on any given day. The soup texture and color also varied.
For example, parsnips and carrots made the soup sweeter, and roasted beef bones introduced savoy flavors and deep, rich amber color.
The content of the perpetual stew or hunter’s pot changed, depending on the available ingredients.
Perpetual Stew Recipe
The perpetual stew is an old idea that is still in use today. You can also make your own unending pot of soup to bring back the time.
There are simple recipes you can test yourself. You don’t have to be a hunter to make this pot of flavorful soup.
To have a perpetual soup, you need the ingredients and follow the best method. We present details in this section for you to follow through.
Ingredients
Various ingredients can be used in making the perpetual stew. They include root vegetables and tubers such as onions, carrots, garlic, turnip, parsnip, and many others.
Different meats and game meats could also be added to the pot to make an even more delicious soup. Livestock and hunted animals form part of the perpetual stew.
The perpetual stew is famous today for the benefits that come with bone broth. The broth is rich in minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, with health benefits.
In particular, calcium is the main mineral of interest. It enhances bone health in human beings, especially the aged population.
The bone soup also has gelatin. That soothes and heals the gut. Together with dissolved cartilage, they can relieve stiff joints as well as arthritis.
Prepping “Dem Bones”
The bones used in the perpetual stew are prepared, and the method depends on the source.
Poultry bones from duck, turkey, or chicken are roasted and then boiled. They are then used in the making of perpetual soup.
Beef and pork bones are also roasted on a cookie sheet or baking pan for about 30 minutes.
You know when your bones are ready for perpetual stew if the meats have been caramelized. At that stage, they will make the soup appear amber and add the savory taste that many people yearn for.
Vegetable Do’s and Don’ts
Some vegetables enhance the taste and texture of the perpetual soup, while others will destroy everything.
Avoid vegetables whose flavor and color will dominate the soup. Carrots and onions are good examples of what you should consider for a perpetual stew.
Before adding any vegetable to the soup, scrutinize it and ensure it will not cause any undesirable changes to the soup.
Consider the following vegetables for your perpetual stew or soup:
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Parsnips
- Rutabagas
- Kale
- Spinach
- Green onions
You should avoid the following vegetables:
- Garlic
- Beets
- Turnips
- Cauliflower
- Radishes
- Broccoli
These vegetables have a dominant color, smell, and taste. But if you like them, you can add them to your soup. Their effect might take many days or even months to fade away.
Other Ingredients to Avoid
Some recipes require pasta, rice, or bread. These are popular ingredients that form part of many modern-day dishes.
However, they are not ideal for a perpetual soup. The reason is that they can dissolve when overcooked and ruin everything.
If you must use the mentioned ingredients, you can cook them separately and serve them with a separately cooked broth. Otherwise, you will end up with a mushy and pasty kind of perpetual soup.
Making the Perpetual Stew
Ingredients:
- Pure, Spring Water
- Beef Bones, Soup Bones, Pork Bones, and/or Poultry Carcasses
- Vegetables
- Season to Your Taste(Salt, Pepper, Bay Leaves, Plantain Leaves, Clover, Etc.)
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Instructions:
Step 1: Pour water into a crockpot until it is about two-thirds full.
Step 2: Set the temperature to maximum and add the bones and vegetables.
Step 3: Cover the crockpot and let the content boil. Ensure it simmers for about 12-24 hours.
Step 4: Add seasoning to the soup to taste. Discard the bones and turn off the heat for the soup to cool to your preferred temperature and serve.
Step 5: Replenish the soup by adding more ingredients and then boiling for another 15 minutes.
Step 6: Adjust the seasoning and keep on the cycle for as long as possible.
4 Things You Should Know About Perpetual Stew
Everyone planning to make perpetual stew or soup has to be aware of these things. They prepare you for what to expect when making your soup or using it.
Safety Temperature Of Perpetual Stew
This never-ending broth is versatile and volatile at the same time. You keep the bacteria and other microorganisms away by constantly heating the perpetual stew.
Danger temperature zone is 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. This range encourages bacterial growth, leading to spoilage and food poisoning.
To keep your perpetual stew safe, never let the soup cool down and always cover it. Practice maximum hygiene when handling the ingredients.
The Ever-Changing Flavors
The flavor of the perpetual soup will change depending on the ingredients and seasonings added. To maintain the initial taste, keep adding the same ingredients and spices at the same ratio.
This ever-changing flavor is what attracts many people to the perpetual soup. You never get used to it if you get a different treat each time you help yourself with it.
The Fish and Shellfish Caution
The seafood should never be mixed with meaty bones, pork, or poultry. It might look like a good idea, but the resulting soup will have a fishy taste that many people do not like.
To prepare a perpetual broth for everyone, leave the pork, beef, and poultry bones aside.
Similarly, you should also make a perpetual soup of port, beef, and poultry bones only. Do not think of mixing them with fish and shellfish. Also, use only vegetables that will give you desirable taste, color, and texture.
When preparing a perpetual soup of fish and shellfish, the simmering is only done for 30 minutes.
After that, the fish and shellfish are removed from the pot. Otherwise, the soup will turn cloudy as the bones, fish, and heads become overcooked.
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The Apple Cider Vinegar Secret With Perpetual Stew
Apple cider vinegar is added to the perpetual stew to squeeze the maximum nutrients from the ingredients possible.
When added to the pot, it will enhance the release of minerals from the bones without affecting the taste of the broth. It is used in small quantities that are not enough to alter the flavor.
Wrapping Up
Perpetual stew is many centuries old. This pot of never-ending soup was under constant heat, and ingredients replenished.
The process can be repeated for months or years. Pioneers like the delicious broth that resulted from it. You can also make your perpetual stew, as outlined in this article.
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