"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003
Last Saturday evening we celebrated Earth Hour from 8.30 - 9.30 p.m.
I decided to stick with the pea soup that I had planned. So on Friday night I placed a cup and a half of split peas to soak in a pot overnight.
The next morning I peeled two large carrots, and a potato, and after dicing them, I added them to the pot with the rinsed soaked split peas.
Adding a couple of cups of boiling water, some crushed garlic and chopped mixed herbs I placed them on the stove to boil for 15 - 20 minutes. Do not add any salt at this stage - otherwise your pea's will not soften.
Then I placed a lid on top and quickly popped the pot into the old toy box filled with shredded paper. The pot was then covered with an old pillow-slip filled with more shredded paper.
They merrily cooked away until 4.30 that afternoon - a total of 9 hours in the hay box. I returned the pot to the stove, and after boiling it again for 10 - 15 minutes I pulled out the potato masher. Squishing and squelching, the vegetables gave in to the pressure from above. I didn't use a blender to blitz it smooth because we like quite a coarse soup - makes you feel like you actually eaten something, as opposed to just slurping down a meal.
Taste for seasoning, add a swirl of cream and serve with a fresh roll or two - an easy, low fuel meal which is filling, satisfying and delicious :)
Hard to believe that a few years ago, whenever we felt like pea soup, I used to leave a pot simmering on the stove for hours. What a waste of power. It feels good that no grid power whatsoever was used in the production of this meal - erm - apart from the rolls. And it was eaten by candlelight.
We are hoping to go to the farm tomorrow morning for the Easter weekend - we have a chimney to seal before anymore rain drips onto, and into, my Dover stove. If you don't hear from me - that is where we are. I'll catch up with you all again next week.
Happy Easter - if you're venturing onto the roads, drive safely, and take care :)
Hum, what makes the heat in the toy box with the paper? Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteJane - It's something to do with the air spaces between the shredded paper. It acts as insulation and keeps the hot pot hot. And the hot box finds a use for all that shredded office paper at the same time :)
DeleteYou are amazing. I love reading about 'cooking' in the hot/hay box! Soup looks yummy too :)
ReplyDeleteMrs Mac- You're amazing too. Your haybox meal worked a treat as well :) It is so easy, isn't it. One just has to think "out of the box" LOL
DeleteI'm thinking about incubating yogurt in the hay box :)
DeleteMrs Mac - That should work too - clever girl :)
DeleteHappy Easter Dani! I have no access to shredded paper but this post has got me ticking. I'll talk to hubby about it, because there must be other ways. Maybe wrapped in towels or something. You're very clever.
ReplyDeleteHi linda - you can use polystyrene balls or straw too as long as its packed tight :)
DeleteLinda - Thanks - hope yours was good too :)
DeleteYes, Astra is quite correct - you can use polystyrene or straw too. Even a sleeping bag will do the trick LOL
Great idea! We'll have to try this.
ReplyDeleteJody - and the best thing is it works :)
DeleteAh no! I totally missed earth hour! how did that happen? silly me... Great way to cook Dani!
ReplyDeleteAtra - Every day should contain time for the Earth LOL Never too late to do it :)
DeleteI've seen similar structures but haven't taken the time yet to try it on my own. You're absolutely right about saving power though - quite an incentive!
ReplyDeleteTanya - Go on, give it a try if you can. Every little bit of power saved means less pollution released into the air :)
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