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Running a household in the Viking eraby Trine Theut The everyday life of the Viking family, every day, year in and year out, was a struggle to maintain life: to provide for a roof over everyone's head, to stay warm and to prepare food. During much of the year it was easy to get the food; but it takes a long time to prepare it, and one must think ahead and gather, dry it and put it away for the long winter.
Make your own Viking foodPorridgeThe basic recipe is, per person one cup of kernels and two cups of liquid (water and/or milk). One must count on having to add more liquid because of evaporation when the porridge cooks over an open fire without a cover. Any pressed and crushed kernels can be used, the most coarse should soak overnight otherwise they will have to be cooked too long.
Meat and fish soupIt is, of course, not intended for all of the previously mentioned vegetables to be included in the same soup. Be inspired by the many available books on edible plants and use whatever you find in the vicinity. Always be certain that you know the plants and put only edible plants in your basket.
Flatbread/Shardbread (Shortbread)If you have butchered a hen you can use the yolks in the dough. The bread is called shard bread because it is baked on a shard of pottery; but if one has a large household it can also be baked on an iron skillet about 10-15 cm over the coals.
Hot, nutritious drinksA delicious apple drink
The apples can be replaced with pears. Berries are also quite delicious in this drink - try different mixes of fruits as desired. Herbal drinkHerbal drinks can be made with many different plants. The drink is prepared by putting the leaf or flower in boiling water and letting it cook for a few minutes Good drinks can be gotten from the young leaves of
... and the flowers of:
Remember: Be sure that the plants you use are edible!
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