The pioneering women of Dalby would not have been proud of me this week. A weird bloke accosted me while I loaded the groceries in the car and I left my copy of Pioneering Recipes of Dalby and District in the trolley when I high-speed parked it in the return bay. I’m a big multi-tasker, but it turns out I drop a ball (and a cook book) when giving the Big Sister (not so) subtle “don’t-engage-the-crazy-bloke-darling” facial expressions while deflecting questions about his business tax and personal loans and our place of abode.
It wouldn’t have happened to Mrs Swann. I suspect it would have taken a lot more than a few odd accounting questions in the car park of Beerwah IGA to give a woman who can season a snake the heebie jeebies.
I’d like to think my attempt at Mutton Hodge Podge would have redeemed me in the eyes of Mrs Swann and her esteemed compatriots but I can’t be sure. I’m imagining they’re a tough crowd.
mutton hodge podge
The original recipe went something like this:
Mutton broth
equal parts carrot, onion and turnip
4 rashes bacon
Bay leaf
What I actually used:
1 kg lamb stewing chops and neck chops
750ml water
3 brown onions
3 carrots
3 swedes
5 rashes short cut bacon, chopped.
½ cup pearl barley
bay leaf
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Combine the lamb chops, water, bay leaf and peppercorns in a pressure cooker. Bring up to pressure and cook for twenty minutes. Remove the chops from the finished broth and allow to cool slightly. Retain the broth.
In the meantime, peel and dice the onions, carrots and swedes. Sauté in a fry pan over a medium heat for five minutes. Add the bacon and cook for a further few minutes.
Remove the meat from the cooled lamb chops and return the lamb to the broth along with the sautéed bacon and vegetable mix and the pearl barley. Season the pot, bring to pressure and cook for a further twenty minutes.
Serves six.
The verdict:
I loved this and so did Bearhands and my Mum. I expected the kids would go for it too because the flavours and textures are right up their alley – none of the offensiveflavours I usually cook with like capsicum or mushrooms- but I was wrong. There’s just no telling when you’re feeding my girls!
The Hodge Podge was so hearty, and it felt nourishing while we were eating it. I think this might become a chicken soup alternative when winter chills and kindy germs invade Casa de Cooker.
My husband would love that! It’s a bit like a kiwi boil up. I can’t wait for winter when I can start making those sort of hearty meals again.
I’ve never heard of a hodge podge before. Sounds great. I don’t have a cure-all other than riding it out until it leaves your system. Nothing can conquer the virus once it enters my body.
xx
My Dad is a firm believer in “feed a cold, starve a fever”. I’m a “when in doubt, cook” kinda gal Anne. Looking forward to meeting you for real in May!
I feed everything – but that’s cos I’m a piglet…I have vague memories of hodge podge, not heard it for a long time.
Maybe somebody will give it back?? I’ve been so lucky with leaving purses in shopping trolleys and getting them back. Easily done.
Now I would love this and the teens too. But the twins would faint… the big issue is that hubby can’t bear the smell of cooking lamb. Is he mad? Yes, and veggie. So one to do when he’s out of the coutnry. In the slow cooker maybe.
Fingers crossed I get it back Seana. Your husband doesn’t like lamb? Weirdo! 🙂
I think this would adapt well for the slow cooker – as per my other comment – I’d keep an eye on the fluid, so there’s enough for the barley. x
Looks like a good one to try on a cold night! I think it is something my family would love!!
Hopefully it’s better received by your kids than mine Richelle!
Oh, this is going to be perfect for the upcoming chilly nights! I’ve been looking through old recipe books for slow cooked lamb recipes. Bookmarking this one!
Great Grace. Hope it’s more of a hit with the twins than it was with the girls! 😉
I love a hearty winters meal! I think this would go great in the Slow-Cooker too!!
I get thrown by weird people too, puts me right off my game!
Glad I’m not the Lone Ranger Karen! I think this would adapt well to the slow cooker – just check you have enough fluid to cook the barley along the way. 🙂
I am sure it is a wonderfully warming soup for the winter 🙂
Creep crawlies give me heebie jeebies, LOVE that word x