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    Home » recipes » mid-week meals

    By Amanda Smyth 14 Comments

    hodge podge and the heebie jeebies

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    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  Cooker and a Looker

    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 teaspoon 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.

    What's your cure-all for crook people?
    What's the weirdest question you've ever been asked?
    What gives you the heebie jeebies?

    Share13
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alex aka WHOA MUMMA! says

      March 14, 2013 at 6:26 pm

      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.

      Reply
    2. Anne @ Domesblissity says

      March 14, 2013 at 6:46 pm

      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

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 14, 2013 at 6:48 pm

        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!

        Reply
    3. Lydia C. Lee says

      March 15, 2013 at 5:59 am

      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.

      Reply
    4. Seana Smith (@Seana_Smith) says

      March 15, 2013 at 7:27 am

      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.

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 16, 2013 at 8:55 am

        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

        Reply
    5. Richelle Staley says

      March 15, 2013 at 9:51 am

      Looks like a good one to try on a cold night! I think it is something my family would love!!

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 16, 2013 at 8:51 am

        Hopefully it's better received by your kids than mine Richelle!

        Reply
    6. Grace says

      March 15, 2013 at 8:22 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 16, 2013 at 6:09 am

        Great Grace. Hope it's more of a hit with the twins than it was with the girls! 😉

        Reply
    7. Karen says

      March 15, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 16, 2013 at 6:06 am

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Declutterbug says

      March 15, 2013 at 10:53 pm

      I am sure it is a wonderfully warming soup for the winter 🙂

      Reply
    9. Have a laugh on me says

      March 16, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      Creep crawlies give me heebie jeebies, LOVE that word x

      Reply

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