Heritage

Pozole – Mexican Hominy Soup Recipe – Gringo Version

Chloe Tuttle — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:30 +0000

I just love this Pozole Recipe. Pozole is a Mexican Soup that is usually made with pork; this recipe is made with chicken. It can be made in a crock pot if you prefer.

Hominy has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up, it was often served alongside country ham on chilly evenings. Those old hominy recipes were once staples in Southern kitchens, but they seem to have quietly faded away. I’ve yet to find anyone who remembers them.

Pozole - Mexican Hominy Soup, Gringo Version

Course Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword mexican hominy soup, pozole recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 326kcal

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

1 medium onion chopped
3-4 Tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic peeled & crushed
32 oz chicken broth
28 oz chopped tomatoes 1 large can
10 oz red enchilada sauce
46.5 oz hominy, drained 3 cans
Salt and Pepper to taste
20 oz white meat chicken breast, drained and broken up 2 cans or use leftover chicken

Instructions

Sauté onion in olive oil in a large pot until onion is translucent. Add garlic and sauté for a couple minutes more.
Add chicken broth, chopped tomatoes with their juice, enchilada sauce, drained hominy, salt, and pepper. Simmer until hot.
Add chicken and cook at least 30 minutes. It is fine to simmer on the stove or in the crock pot for longer.

Nutrition

Gene Eastham shared this recipe with me after he cooked it for me!

Surely everyone has eaten grits – at least everyone in the south. It is a staple – we just can’t live without our grits. And grits are made from hominy. My mother told me that they used to make their own hominy from the dried field corn they raised for the farm animals.

To make hominy you use lye. Mother’s family had a wooden barrel that was filled with hardwood ashes. This was placed under the eaves of the house and rain water ran through it. The resulting product was lye.

They used this to make soap and hominy. I have made lye soap – it is strong, but will surely get chiggers off your skin! Mother said they soaked the dried corn kernels in a solution of lye and water. The lye would “eat off” the husk from the kernels.

Then the hominy was rinsed and rinsed and then stored. They then dried the hominy to store for the winter. I don’t know if they made their own grits from this hominy, but I imagine they did.

Try this Pozole and let me know what you think.

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay

Quiet rentals for traveling nurses & professionals in eastern North Carolina 252-792-8787

Looking for extended stay lodging in Eastern North Carolina? Big Mill Extended Stay offers quiet, fully furnished rentals ideal for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests relocating to the area. Our accommodations provide comfort, privacy, and Southern hospitality, perfect for short-term and long-term stays. We also have three RV rental spaces.

Chicken Mull – The Forgotten Comfort Food

Chloe Tuttle — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:00:46 +0000

I had never heard of Chicken Mull until a few years ago. And then I found out that the Chicken Mull Festival happens 8 miles from me in Bear Grass, NC, population 69. This year, the festival is on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Chicken Mull – What Is It?

Course Dinner

Keyword Bear Grass Chicken Mull, Chicken mull, North Carolina chicken stew, old fashioned chicken stew, southern comfort food

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2 30

Total Time 2 45

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

3-4 lb chicken cut into pieces
3-4 qts water enough to cover the chicken
½-1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper ground
½-1 teaspoon cracked red pepper or to taste
1 Tbs lard or butter
2-3 sleeves Saltine Crackers salted (you will probably use 2-3 sleeves)

Instructions

Prepare the Broth: In a large stock pot, add several quarts of water, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and a spoonful of lard. Bring to a rolling boil.
Cook the Chicken: Add the cut-up chicken pieces, making sure there’s enough water to fully cover them. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1–2 hours, until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone.
Remove and Shred the Chicken: Take the chicken out of the pot. Strain the broth into a large bowl and set aside. Once the chicken has cooled, remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat by hand - checking carefully for any small bones.
Reheat the Broth: Wash the stock pot to remove any residue. Pour the reserved broth back in and bring it to a gentle boil.
Make the Mull: Add the shredded chicken to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Slowly crush and stir in 2 sleeves of saltine crackers, a handful at a time, stirring constantly until the mull thickens. If it still seems thin, add more crushed crackers until you reach your desired consistency.
Serve hot with toasted bread or hush puppies. The flavor deepens overnight, so leftovers are even better the next day!
Yield: 6-7 two-cup servings

Notes

Tips for the Best Chicken Mull:

Use bone-in chicken for a richer flavor.

Adjust the amount of red pepper to your preferred spice level.

For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of milk before serving

How the Bear Grass Chicken Mull Festival Was Born

Q: Who started the Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass?

In 2015, Bear Grass locals approached Mayor Charlotte Griffin with an idea: “Let’s create a festival for our town.” Charlotte was intrigued and ready to explore.

Q: Wasn’t there talk of a Moonshine Festival?

Yes! Bear Grass has deep roots in Prohibition-era moonshine—some even call it the Moonshine Capital of the World. But federal red tape made that idea too tricky to pull off.

Q: So why Chicken Mull?

Charlotte shared a story from her grandfather’s tobacco farming days. Back then, farmers had to stay up all night firing the barns to cure the leaf. With little to do, they’d gather around a big iron pot, toss in a chicken and some saltine crackers, and cook up a simple, comforting stew they called Chicken Mull.

I remember my own daddy and Walter Biggs firing the bars right on our farm, but no Chicken Mull. It’s a tradition rooted in hard work, community, and good food – and pure Bear Grass.

It is odd how the tradition didn’t cross Highway 17 into Farm Life where my folks lived. Charlotte did say that her uncle married a Farm Life girl, and he introduced them to Chicken Mull. I don’t remember ever eating Chicken Mull in my youth. In some parts of the south, it is called Chicken Muddle; usually, this has other things in it like tomatoes and peppers. It is difficult to trace the origin of this humble dish.

After the men folks no longer had to fire the barns with wood, they would still cook up a pot of mull at the end of the tobacco season for the “hands” – the folks who worked the fields. Even now, when groups like the Ruritans have a fundraiser, you might see Chicken Mull on the menu.

It seems Chicken Mull is popular in the Carolinas and in parts of Georgia, often popping up in barbecue joints and at church dinners. In some parts of Georgia it is made with milk, but in the Carolinas, it is usually made with water, chicken and saltine crackers. Be on the lookout, or just whip up a batch for yourself.

Don’t miss the Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass, NC. It happens every year on the 4th Saturday of October – this year in 2025, it is October 25th. Check out North Carolina Weekend’s story of the Chicken Mull Festival.

Distances From: Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay

Raleigh, NC – 102 miles
Greenville, NC – 20 miles
New Bern, NC – 55 miles

Quiet rentals for traveling nurses & professionals in eastern North Carolina 252-792-8787

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay Williamston, NC 252-792-8787

Haint Blue – Why Southerners Paint Their Porch Ceilings Blue

Chloe Tuttle — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:10:34 +0000

If you were not born in the low country of South Carolina or Georgia – or other coastal areas of the south, then you’ve probably never heard of Haint Blue – it’s a southern thing.

But if you ever travel in the south, especially in coastal towns, you will often see porch ceilings painted a special robin’s egg light blue color. This is not because we like blue; it is because of our folklore and heritage.

Haints are restless ghosts who haven’t departed from the earthly realm. These spirits linger to haunt the living, often with harmless tricks, but occasionally they have more sinister intentions.

The lore of haints in the U.S. traces back to the low country, a coastal region spanning 200 miles in South Carolina and Georgia. Here, the Gullah Geechee people – descendants of African slaves – believed in haints. They used these Haint Blue colors to combat “haints” and “boo hags”

Haint Blue is not just for fancy houses in the garden district of Charleston. You will see these blue ceilings on fishing shacks, tenant houses, row houses – all over the coastal south.

There is no one color that is Haint Blue but paint companies like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Behr offer quite a few Haint Blues.

The color was believed to trick these malevolent spirits into thinking they had stumbled into water (which they cannot cross). This is the same idea behind bottle trees – the marauding spirits are lured to the pretty blue bottles and they fly into the bottle. They cannot escape. And, yes, we have a Haint Blue ceiling here at Big Mill Extended Stay B&B.

Big Mill Extended Stay B&B:
Raleigh, NC – 100 miles
Greenville, NC – 27 miles
Outer Banks – 98 miles
Big Mill Bed and Breakfast in Williamston, NC

Old Red Truck – Mascot of Big Mill B&B Extended Stay

Chloe Tuttle — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 10:19:01 +0000

Every farm and definitely every farm girl needs an old red truck. Somebody must agree because photos of old red trucks are everywhere – on fancy dishes, Christmas decorations, everywhere you look.

A guest Edna Perkinson Painted this Portrait of Old Red Truck

One Christmas I parked my Old Red Truck in front of the Pack House and decorated it with a Christmas tree and wreath with sparkling fairy lights everywhere. It certainly was popular with my guests and anyone who rode by.

When January came, Old Red didn’t want to go back under the shelter. Nephew Monk had to bring his big tractor and drag her out of the yard.

Other folks seem to like old red trucks too: friends got together and had Old Red sit for a portrait. I love it. I have old red truck dish towels, sheets, dishes, door mats … these things just keep turning up.

Old Red Portrait – a Gift From Friends Painted by J. Roberson

Renowned photo artist, Stacey Haines, took my portrait in Old Red. This special truck has certainly been a topic of artistic merit!

I must tell the truth — when David Tuttle left the farm he told me I could keep that “piece of junk old truck,” so I did. I am determined to keep her running, maybe not on the road, but “farm worthy.” She has caught on fire three times, not really her fault. I think David wants her back!

She has a 1973 body and a 1966 engine (390 C.I.D. S-code). Like me, she can use her age to her advantage – her tags are cheaper. If older is better, Old Red is getting greater! This truck is a “shade tree mechanics” nirvana. It was under these pecan trees that David Tuttle used a Come-Along to remove Old Red’s original engine and install a Thunderbird engine.

Shade Tree Mechanic David Tuttle

I have replaced the tires ($20 each), water pump, starter, carburetor, ignition key, gas tank and gauge, and other stuff I can’t even remember. I am determined to keep Old Red in the family.

Hopefully, the next time I see you, Old Red will be running!

YES, we are open and we hope you will come and stay at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay. Come enjoy the benefits of home while away from home for your next traveling job or contract in eastern North Carolina.

Big Mill B&B Extended Stay Lodging. 1607 Big Mill Road, Williamston, NC 27892. Tel. 252-792-8787 cell is 252-799-8787, info@bigmill.com and www.bigmill.com

DISTANCES to Hospitals and Towns from Big Mill B&B in Williamston, NC:

Greenville, NC: Vidant Hospital, ECU School of Medicine – 27 miles (country roads)
Washington, NC: Vidant Hospital, Ridgewood Rehab, River Trace Rehab – 21 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Windsor, NC: Vidant Hospital, Brian Center, Three Rivers Health & Rehab Center – 17 miles (east 4-lane drive)
Windsor, NC: Bertie Rural Health – 20 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Ahoskie, NC: Vidant – 37 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Tarboro, NC: Vidant Edgecomb Hospital, Parkwood Village Retirement Center, – 33 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Plymouth, NC: Domtar Paper – 30 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Edenton, NC: Vidant Chowan County – 37 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
and North Carolina’s Outer Banks!!! are 85 miles

Extended Stay Lodging Eastern NC – Home Away from Home

Chloe Tuttle — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 20:20:54 +0000

Nurses, doctors and folks doing Locum Tenens work who need lodging in eastern North Carolina for short and long-term stays will find Big Mill B&B rooms, suites and apartments the perfect Home Away from Home.

The fish are biting at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay
near Greenville, Washington, Plymouth, Windsor, Ahoskie in eastern N.C.

We offer special long-term rates and and most reservations qualify for tax-free stays. Rates range from $250 to $400 week. All of our spaces have outside entrances. Each suite has a kitchenette and a local grocery store has curb-side pickup for groceries and other things you might need.

Our Largest Suite – the Pack House Suite – has Full Kitchen
This very private suite has kitchen, large subway tile bath, large sitting area and separate bedroom. Just outside your door is your own private patio.

Mule Room Suite Kitchen Opens onto the Brick Breezeway
This very private suite has views of the lake from every room, honey-colored pine floors, bead-board and tobacco stick ceiling, tiled bath, separate bedroom, art from Central America and a kitchen with colorful Mexican tile.

Mardi Gras Suite with Kitchenette has 2 Spacious First-floor Rooms
The suite overlooks landscaped grounds and opens onto the patio outside your door – perfect for morning coffee. The den – kitchen area has glazed brick floors and a stone fireplace.

We have five suites/rooms and two vintage Airstreams that we rent; prices range from $250 week – $400 week, no lease required. This is all-inclusive and we have weekly cleaning service. Some of our rooms offer black-out shades and curtains for our night shift guests.

If you want to feel safer, you can quarantine yourself at Big Mill B&B in your own private suite — we would love to have you. You can work from your room or from a hammock – we have wireless internet everywhere on the farm. We also have cable TV and there is at least one television in every room – 3 of our rooms have a TV in the den and bedroom. There is a coin laundry on the premises.

All rooms have Wireless Internet

We are serious about your safety at Big Mill. We do a special deep clean between each guest and the room sits for 24 hours before the next rental. We have borrowed some of our policies from AirBnB like SELF CHECK-IN.

All of our rooms and suites have outside entrances, each opens to a patio, hammock, swing or breezeway.

Corn Crib Opens onto the Brick Breezeway
Totally self-contained efficiency apartment with kitchenette & bath. With its private entrance, it is the perfect place to work from “Home” and ride-out this national quarantine.

Caribbean Room Opens Onto the Porch
Self-contained efficiency has a private entrance. A short-term extended-stay is perfect for business travelers & traveling nurses.

It is so much nicer and easier to social distance yourself while meandering around the farm, (we have acres to roam), in the gardens, the orchard or hanging in your own private hammock. But if you see another guest out and about, certainly say “Hi.”

Bird’s Eye View of the Fields and Orchard at Big Mill B&B

Staying at Big Mill B&B Extended Short and Long-term stay is not roughing it – it is County Living at its Best. Drop a line in the pond – maybe you will catch a large bass or bream.

We also have two vintage Airstreams in our orchard that we rent: Legend and Vintage. They overlook the fields, the farm pond and the old grape arbor.

Airstream Legend Overlooks the Fields and Grape Arbor

Airstream Vintage Overlooks the Lakes at Big Mill Extended Stay

Explore the farm buildings – we have saved the old tools to help understand our heritage. My folks moved here in 1922 and started farming. My father built the Pack House in 1935; this is now renovated into three suites. Two more suites are in the house and there are two vintage Airstreams in the orchard. We also have one RV hookup.

Old Farm Tools from a Past Era

Since Covid, we have gone to all short and long-term rentals. Often we have a few weeks between our long-term folks – we do rent those “Orphan Nights.” So call us to see what is available, even if we appear booked on the internet.

Avoid the crowds – come to Big Mill B&B just outside the little town of Williamston in the coastal plain for North Carolina and work or self-quarantine in luxury. This is not roughing it – you will love it!

Big Mill B&B Extended Stay Lodging. 1607 Big Mill Road, Williamston, NC 27892. Tel. 252-792-8787 cell is 252-799-8787, info@bigmill.com and www.bigmill.com

DISTANCES to Hospitals and Towns from Big Mill B&B in Williamston, NC:
Greenville, NC: Vidant Hospital, ECU School of Medicine – 27 miles (country roads)
Washington, NC: Vidant Hospital, Ridgewood Rehab, River Trace Rehab – 21 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Windsor, NC: Vidant Hospital, Brian Center, Three Rivers Health & Rehab Center – 17 miles (east 4-lane drive)
Windsor, NC: Bertie Rural Health – 20 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Ahoskie, NC: Vidant – 37 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Tarboro, NC: Vidant Edgecomb Hospital, Parkwood Village Retirement Center, – 33 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Plymouth, NC: Domtar Paper – 30 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
Edenton, NC: Vidant Chowan County – 37 miles (easy 4-lane drive)
and North Carolina’s Outer Banks!!! are 85 miles

Come to Big Mill B&B just outside the little town of Williamston, NC and enjoy the benefits of home while away from home for your next traveling job or contract.

Effie’s Switch House French Dressing

Chloe Tuttle — Fri, 22 May 2020 02:05:04 +0000

Aunt Effie’s Switch-House Salad Dressing (Miss Effie’s Dressing)

My Aunt Effie ran an after-hours place called The Switch, so named because it was beside the “switch” for the railroad tracks. It was a popular spot for night owls, tobacco buyers and peanut graders who were in town during the harvest season.

The Switch After-Hours Steak House was a Jumping Place in its Day

Teeney cooked the best steaks on a cast iron wood-burning stove. Yes, all the food was cooked on a wood-burning stove. The menu was T-bone steak, baked potato and tossed salad with Effie’s famous dressing. Aunt Effie told me it was her recipe — we will never know. I do know it was good.

Effie’s Sweet Tart Salad Dressing is Perfect for Mixed Green Salads

There would also be other folks there who might have wanted a nightcap. The Switch didn’t get rocking until 10 p.m., late for a country town.

Around midnight, the sheriff would come in the back door, go to the pantry and grab his whiskey bottle from behind the canned goods. But come Sunday morning, at least the locals would still show up for church. There was an old piano in the back room of The Switch and folks would gather around and bellow out old hymns like “Whispering Hope” late into the evening

Serve up a salad with Effie’s Switch House dressing and it is bound to wow your guests. Throw in an edible flower and it will be a sure winner.

Effie's Sweet Tangy Dressing

Tomato-based French dressing

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword Catalina dressing, French dressing, Russian dressing, salad dressing, Tomato vinaigrette, vinaigrette

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings 2 ounce servings

Calories 128kcal

Author Chloe Tuttle

Cost $5

Ingredients

10 1/4 ounces Campbell's tomato soup undiluted or tomato sauce
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup corn oil or canola oil
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup onion grated

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together with a whisk. Refrigerated this will keep for up to a month.

Nutrition

Big Mill B&B, Williamston, NC 27892
tel. 252-792-8787