Mock Turtle Soup Recipe

Mock Turtle Soup Recipe:

History of Mock Turtle Soup:
Mock Turtle Soup is a dish that gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a substitute for traditional turtle soup. Turtle soup was considered a delicacy during that time, but it was also expensive and difficult to obtain. As a result, inventive cooks started creating a mock version of the soup using more readily available ingredients.

Fun Facts about Mock Turtle Soup:
1. The name "Mock Turtle" refers to the fact that this soup is a mock or imitation of traditional turtle soup. It became popular after Lewis Carroll's book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," where the Mock Turtle character wore a calf's head on its shoulder.
2. The calf's head used in this recipe was a common ingredient in mock turtle soup because it provided the desired texture and flavor. However, nowadays, it can be challenging to find calf's heads in many grocery stores, so some modern variations use beef or veal instead.
3. Mock Turtle Soup was commonly served at grand banquets and formal dinners during the Victorian era. It was considered a sophisticated and indulgent dish.

Recipe for Mock Turtle Soup:

Ingredients:
- 1 calf's head (or substitute with beef or veal)
- 4 1/2 quarts of water
- 2 red peppers
- 2 onions
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 carrots
- 4 cloves
- Salt, to taste
- A small cabbage
- Meat stock
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- Fat (from the calf's head or substitute)
- Hard-boiled eggs
- 1 glass of sherry
- 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions:
1. Start by thoroughly washing the calf's head. If using beef or veal, ensure it is clean and prepared.
2. In a large pot, add 4 1/2 quarts of water and bring it to a boil.
3. Once boiling, add the calf's head or substitute meat to the pot.
4. Dice the red peppers, onions, celery stalks, carrots, and a small cabbage. Add them to the pot.
5. Add the cloves and salt to taste.
6. Allow the mixture to boil for approximately six hours, allowing the flavors to infuse and the meat to become tender.
7. To enhance the flavor, you can also add meat stock the next day. This will provide a richer taste to the soup.
8. The following day, in a skillet, heat the fat (from the calf's head or substitute) and add two large tablespoons of flour.
9. Let the mixture brown, stirring continuously to ensure it doesn't burn.
10. While the flour and fat mixture is browning, remove all the meat from the calf's head or substitute and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Also, dice the calf's tongue.
11. Slice some hard-boiled eggs.
12. Once the flour mixture has browned, gradually add it to the stock, stirring well to prevent lumps.
13. Add the meat pieces, calf's tongue, sliced hard-boiled eggs, a glass of sherry, and lemon slices to the stock.
14. Allow the soup to come to just a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors together.
15. Serve the Mock Turtle Soup hot and enjoy!

Similar Recipe Dishes:
1. Traditional Turtle Soup: For those who can find turtle meat or want to experience the original dish, traditional turtle soup is a luxurious option. It involves using turtle meat simmered with various vegetables and spices to create a rich and flavorful soup.
2. Beef Consommé: Consommé is a clear soup made from richly flavored and clarified broth. It shares some similarities with mock turtle soup regarding the use of meat stock and flavoring ingredients. However, beef consommé doesn't require the specific meat cuts used in mock turtle soup.
3. Cabbage Soup: Cabbage soup is a hearty and comforting dish that often includes cabbage, meat, and vegetables simmered in a broth. Depending on the region and personal preference, various ingredients can be added to create different variations of cabbage soup.

Remember, even though it requires some time and effort to make Mock Turtle Soup, the end result is a flavorful and nostalgic dish that transports you to a bygone era of grand banquets and sophisticated dining. Enjoy your culinary adventure!