Friday, January 14, 2011

Sustaining Soup.

Only a brief post today, folks, from the heart of flood-damaged Brisbane. If you enjoy my little stories, please consider donating to the flood relief appeal. You can do this, wherever you live in the world, by going HERE.

I give you a favourite historic recipe – a recipe which plays a feature role in Soup: A Global History. It is a sustaining soup from another hard time – World War II. I found it in one of the early pamphlets from the wartime British Ministry of Food.

Soup for Air-Raids.
Try to make soup every day so that you always have some ready to heat up. A hot drink works wonders at a time of shock or strain. Nothing could be better than hot vegetable soup as this is nourishing as well as soothing.
Prepare and cut up 2 or 3 carrots, 2 onions, ½ small swede, and if possible 2 or 3 sticks of celery. Make 1 oz. dripping very hot in your saucepan. Put in the vegetables and cook for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 pints hot water and bring to the boil. Put in 2 oz. rice or pearl barley, cover, and simmer for 2 hours. More water may be added if necessary. A little chopped parsley just before serving is a pleasant addition.

5 comments:

Les said...

Good to hear from you again. Here are random things I heard from Friends in Galveston who lost almost everything after Hurricane Ike. They used mayo to clean wood furniture that had been submerged in water. Put the furniture in the yard and wipe it with the mayo then wipe off. Pinesol or pine cleaners are best for removing mildew odor from clothes and linens. Wear heavy soled boots, not sneakers, if you have them since metal will be on the ground. Don't forget mosquito repellent and sun screen. Be wary of snakes as you lift fallen debris or are searching for salvageable items even if you are indoors.

I hope all the best for ya'll.

SharleneT said...

When winter starts, the pot's on the stove. Wouldn't dare not have a soup going... what's a stevie?... Anyway, will definitely send a donation. What a horrific experience... I'm so glad you're safe.

Heiko said...

Seen the scenes of devastation. It looks a bit like a war zone. Hope you and yours are ok

The Old Foodie said...

Thanks for your good thoughts and good suggestions, everyone. The big clean-up has started, and it seems like the entire population is volunteering to help.

Gillian said...

Thinking of you from rather dryer Canberra. If the mould etc decimates your cookbooks, let me know and I'll send you a few of mine.