Since he'd gone from being an only child for 4 1/2 years to having two siblings in short order, I was looking for a way to spend quality time with just him. So, every night, we sat down and, starting at the beginning, read The Chronicles of Narnia out loud for at least an hour every night. This was actually my first time reading it, as well, and both of us fell in love with C.S. Lewis's magical world, and our stolen hour together each night when we stepped hand-in-hand into the wardrobe.
There's actually quite a bit of food that graces the pages (and bellies) of Narnia. I'd love to go back and read the complete chronicles again, armed with a pencil and some sticky tabs this time. But since December is showing no sign of giving me extra time to get started on that this month, I had to go by memory.
Now we must go back to Mr and Mrs Beaver and the three other children. As soon as Mr Beaver said, "There's no time to lose," everyone began bundling themselves into coats, except Mrs Beaver, who started picking up sacks and laying them on the table and said: "Now, Mr Beaver, just reach down that ham. And here's a packet of tea, and there's sugar, and some matches. And if someone will get two or three loaves out of the crock over there in the corner."
I was inspired by both that moment, and the final chapter in the same book, when Aslan provided high tea (a meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening, typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and tea) for the weary warriors.
That night they slept where they were. How Aslan provided for for them all I don't know; but somehow or other they found themselves all sitting down on the grass to a fine high tea at about eight o'clock.
After the battle, when Peter, Lucy and Aslan find Edmund, he is covered with blood and his face is a "nasty green" color. And well, if I'm being honest, the color of split green peas once cooked could be considered nasty—but the dish itself never could. So, that plus the ham and the bread mentioned earlier, turned into a hearty meat dish, served with bread and butter—and don't forget the tea!
Be sure to visit our host Alison of Alison's Wonderland Recipes to see all of the Narnia Recipes!
yield: serves 8
Hearty Ham and Split Pea Soup
prep time: 15 MINScook time: 1 hour and 15 MINStotal time: 1 hours and 30 mins
Stick-to-your-bones split pea soup made with ham, bone broth, veggies, and einkorn berries for a bit of texture.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 small onions, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 big, bushy sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound split green peas, rinsed and picked
- 1/3 cup einkorn wheat berries, rinsed
- 1-2 cups chopped ham
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 quarts ham stock or low-sodium chicken broth + more as needed
To serve:
- vinegar (preferably Balsamic, white Balsamic, sherry, red wine, or Champagne)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat oil in a 4-quart soup pot set over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until soft and just starting to turn golden, ~10 minutes. Add garlic, carrot, thyme, and bay leaf and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds longer.
- Add split green peas, einkorn wheat berries, chopped ham, ham stock, salt, and pepper; increase heat and bring to a boil. Partially cover, then reduce heat to a a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, stirring from time to time.
- Lift out and discard thyme stem and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If needed, thin to your liking with more warm stock (or water).
- To serve, drizzle a little bit of vinegar over individual servings of the soup, preferably with crusty bread on the side for mopping up every last drop.
©All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Created using The Recipes Generator
