My Mother in law makes this soup and it is amazing...this recipe is a very secret recipe since the Fricassee Powder can't be found anywhere it has to be made and is only sold or given to a chosen few...she lives in Holland Indiana where it is made. I have tried to look it up and see where I could buy it or how to make it if it is a blend but I would not find it anywhere....any sug. are welcome since I am not in the Fricassee Powder circle of friends LOL

My grandmother made big black kettle soup over a fire with her kids' in the fall. Everyone brought jars enough to feed 100 immediate family members. The women prepared the ingredients, the men stirred the soup with wooden paddles. Once finished, the jars were filled & packed for transport to the various 10 families.

Grandma's recipe included (my preparation style) spices, Grandma's
2 chickens or 1 hen cut into pieces as if to fry. Boil in water covering with water & boiled at simmer until done.

8-9 med. potatoes, diced to desired size
2 med. onions...diced
6-7 celery stalks cut to desired pieces

In a cheese cloth hand-sewn pouch filled with
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. mustard seed
1 tsp. cloves

Bring tomato juice to simmer.
Add prepared vegetables. & spice pouch.

Simmer mixture until vegetables are done to liking.
Add 2 cans peas
& 2 cans of corn at this point.

Mom added lemon juice or a lemon cut in half, squeezed & tossed into soup at this point. I 've found that the lemon tossed into mixture can make it bitter. I serve lemon wedged seperately for others to add as desired later.

Remove spice pouch. Taste soup & add additional spices from group above until taste.

I add pepper & salt after soup to my bowl, w&p, lemon wedges for others to season as they prefer.


My brother makes around 7 kettles for the church picnics with lots of fellow church volunteers.

Hope this helps. Not an exacting recipe. You'll need to trust your pallet.

Going to make some wih leftover turkey & chicken breast tomorrow.

Where do you get fricassee powder?