Scotch broth facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Barley broth |
|---|---|
| Type | Soup |
| Course | Starter |
| Place of origin | Scotland |
| Main ingredients | Barley, lamb, mutton or beef, root vegetables (carrots, swedes), dried pulses |
Scotch broth is a hearty and filling soup that comes from Scotland. It's a very old recipe, but you can find it all over the world today. This delicious soup is known for being packed with good ingredients.
What is Scotch Broth?
Scotch broth is a thick soup, often eaten as a starter before a main meal. It's famous for being very nutritious and warming. The main things you'll find in it are barley, which is a type of grain, and pieces of meat. This meat is usually lamb, mutton (which is older lamb), or beef.
The soup also has lots of healthy root vegetables. These include carrots and swedes. Sometimes, you might also find turnips in it. Another important part of Scotch broth is dried pulses. These are often split peas and red lentils.
To make it even better, cooks often add cabbage and leeks. These are put in near the end of cooking. This helps them stay a bit crunchy and keeps their bright colors and fresh tastes. The exact recipe can change a bit depending on who is making it or what ingredients are available. You can even buy Scotch broth ready-made in cans!
A Look Back in Time
Scotch broth has been a popular dish for a very long time. We can find recipes for it from the early 1800s. For example, a famous cookbook from that time, called A New System of Domestic Cookery by Maria Rundell, has a recipe for "Scotch Mutton Broth."
In her recipe, the soup started with mutton neck. This meat was cooked slowly for about an hour. Then, good pieces of mutton with bones were added. These pieces had their fat trimmed off first. After several hours, vegetables like turnips, carrots, and onions were put into the soup. They cooked until they were just soft. Finally, barley that had been soaked in water was added. The soup was then served with fresh parsley on top.
Another writer, Christian Isobel Johnstone, mentioned that the cooked mutton from the soup could be served separately. This was called a bouilli. It could be eaten with different sauces or pickled vegetables.
What Goes Into It?
The main ingredients that make Scotch broth so special are:
- Barley: This grain makes the soup thick and hearty.
- Meat: Usually lamb or mutton is used. Sometimes beef is an option too.
- Root Vegetables: These are vegetables that grow underground. Common ones include swedes, potatoes, turnips, and carrots. They add a lot of flavor and nutrients.
- Dried Beans: These are often added to the soup.
- Cabbage and Leeks: These green vegetables are usually added towards the end of the cooking time. This keeps them from getting too soft and helps them keep their fresh taste and color.
All these ingredients together create a warm, filling, and delicious soup that has been enjoyed for centuries!
