flipSimple Broth from the Lake, with Barley and Verjuice
Simple Broth from the Lake, with Barley and Verjuice
Why this dish? The Lady of the Lake is not only an enchantress: she raises and heals. It is she who takes in the child Lancelot and makes him strong. This restorative broth of barley and bitter herbs — a "restaurant" in the medieval sense, which restores strength — is the brew a healing fairy offers to one who emerges weakened from the waters.
A golden barley broth long simmered with leeks and medicinal herbs (sage, lemon balm), sharpened with a dash of verjuice. Comforting, slightly bitter, fortifying: the liquid care of healing fairies.
You are pale, traveler, and your strength left you at the edge of my wave. Drink this slowly: it is the barley from my fields, long cooked with sage that drives away fevers and lemon balm that soothes the heart. I add a dash of verjuice to awaken your blood. Thus I fed Lancelot when he was but a child drawn from the waters — and see what a knight he became. One bowl a day, and you will leave standing.
- •Hulled barley — a handful (nourishing base)
- •Leeks — a few (melting sweetness)
- •Sage and lemon balm — a few sprigs (healing herbs)
- •Verjuice — a dash (tonic acidity)
- •Salt — a pinch (seasoning)
Simple Broth from the Lake, with Barley and Verjuice
A golden barley broth long simmered with leeks and medicinal herbs (sage, lemon balm), sharpened with a dash of verjuice. Comforting, slightly bitter, fortifying: the liquid care of healing fairies.
Why this dish? The Lady of the Lake is not only an enchantress: she raises and heals. It is she who takes in the child Lancelot and makes him strong. This restorative broth of barley and bitter herbs — a "restaurant" in the medieval sense, which restores strength — is the brew a healing fairy offers to one who emerges weakened from the waters.
You are pale, traveler, and your strength left you at the edge of my wave. Drink this slowly: it is the barley from my fields, long cooked with sage that drives away fevers and lemon balm that soothes the heart. I add a dash of verjuice to awaken your blood. Thus I fed Lancelot when he was but a child drawn from the waters — and see what a knight he became. One bowl a day, and you will leave standing.
Ingredients (period version)
- Hulled barley — a handful (nourishing base)
- Leeks — a few (melting sweetness)
- Sage and lemon balm — a few sprigs (healing herbs)
- Verjuice — a dash (tonic acidity)
- Salt — a pinch (seasoning)
Ingredients
- Pearl barley — 80 g (broth base)
- Leeks — 2 (melting vegetable)
- Fresh sage — 4 leaves (aromatic and digestive herb)
- Lemon balm (or mild mint if unavailable) — a few leaves (soothing perfume)
- Verjuice (or diluted lemon juice) — 1 tbsp (acidity)
- Water or vegetable broth — 1.2 liters (liquid)
- Salt — to taste (seasoning)
Method
- Rinse the barley and cook it in salted water at a gentle simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add the sliced leeks and sage; continue cooking for 20 minutes, until the barley is tender and the broth golden.
- Off the heat, add the chopped lemon balm and verjuice to awaken the flavors.
- Adjust salt and serve very hot, in a bowl, as a comforting brew.
How it was made : Barley, the oldest and humblest cereal, formed the base of porridges and broths for the medieval common people. "Restaurants" were concentrated broths meant to restore the sick and weak. The medicine of simples — herbs like sage (salvia, "that saves") or lemon balm — belonged both to cooking and healing, often in the hands of women and "wise women" whom legend turns into fairies.
The contemporary twist : Serve in a dark bowl with a fried sage leaf placed on the surface like a leaf fallen on the lake water, and a spiral of green herb oil.
Lady of the Lake · Charactorium
