Tag: traditional food

  • Rustic Bronze Age Lamb Recipe: A Diabetic-Friendly Delight

    Rustic Bronze Age Lamb Recipe: A Diabetic-Friendly Delight

    A golden-brown lamb neck roast garnished with fresh rosemary, served on a bed of vibrant root vegetables including carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, with a warm, rustic atmosphere in the background.
    A hearty feast featuring slow-roasted lamb neck slices with a medley of root vegetables, inspired by Bronze Age Britain.

    A hearty feast of lamb and roots inspired by Bronze Age Britain. Slow-roasted for warmth, strength, and balance.

    📜 Cost: approx. £9.00 – serves 2 generously
    🌱 Dietary Notes: Contains meat; gluten-free; diabetic-friendly (low glycemic impact with honey optional)
    🍴 Setting: Ideal for House Terra or the Hearthrest kitchens of Emberhelm

    Ingredients:

    2 lamb neck slices (bone-in or boneless)

    2 large carrots, chopped

    1 large parsnip or swede, cubed

    1 red onion, quartered

    2–3 small potatoes, halved

    1 tbsp honey (optional for diabetics, or substitute with erythritol/monk fruit)

    2 tbsp oil (rapeseed or olive)

    2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme

    ½ tsp coarse sea salt

    Black pepper to taste

    Optional: splash of stock or water for braising

    Method:

    Prepare the fire (or oven):
    Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C / gas mark 6. If cooking over a firepit, get embers glowing steadily.

    Sear the lamb:
    In a cast-iron pan or heavy skillet, sear neck slices on high heat with a splash of oil until browned on both sides (~2–3 mins each).

    Assemble the roots:
    In a roasting tray, toss chopped vegetables with oil, herbs, salt, and a drizzle of honey (or sweetener). Spread in a single layer.

    Add lamb & roast:
    Nestle the lamb among the vegetables. Add a splash of water or stock to keep it moist. Cover loosely with foil.

    Roast in the hearth (or oven):
    Roast covered for 1 hour. Remove foil, baste with pan juices, then roast uncovered for another 20–30 mins until browned and tender.

    Serve with:
    Crusty barley flatbread, pickled roots, or a handful of wild greens.

    Historical Insight:
    In Bronze Age Britain, neck cuts were favoured for slow roasting near the fire – tough, flavourful, and nourishing. Root vegetables like parsnip, swede, and onion were common near settlements, roasted in clay ovens or embers. Honey added rare sweetness and symbolised prosperity.

    Health Notes:

    Rich in protein and iron

    Root veg provide fibre, vitamin C, and potassium

    Slow cooking softens connective tissue, making it easier to digest

    Possible Substitutes:

    Lamb: beef shin, pork neck, or plant-based roast (e.g., seitan)

    Veg: beetroot, celeriac, or turnips

    Honey: maple syrup or date molasses for vegan option

    ✅ Diabetic-Friendly: Yes, especially if honey is reduced or replaced with low-glycemic sweetener
    ✅ Gluten-Free: Yes, provided stock & honey are checked

    Freezer safe

    If you recreate this recipe, tag #StormborneLore so I can see your version.

  • Nettle & Hazelnut Soup.

    Nettle & Hazelnut Soup.

    A StormborneLore Recipe.


    Served after illness, childbirth, or exhaustion when the spirit needed warmth.

    A bowl of vibrant green soup garnished with fresh herbs and whole hazelnuts, presented on a textured surface.
    A nourishing bowl of nettle and hazelnut soup, symbolizing healing and warmth.
    Text on a deep red background that reads 'Historical Context' in large, prominent font.


    Nettles have been used since the Stone Age for medicine and food. High in iron and vitamins, they were one of the first wild greens to appear after winter. Hazelnuts, foraged in autumn and stored carefully, added fat and flavour. Together, they formed a healing brew simple, sacred, and powerful.

    This soup was often made by elders or midwives and shared with the tribe’s wounded or recovering members. In StormborneLore, it’s the first meal given to a tribe member returning from exile.

    Hazelnuts nestled among fresh green leaves, showcasing the natural ingredients for a nourishing soup.
    A close-up of crushed hazelnuts surrounded by fresh nettle leaves, essential ingredients for a traditional healing soup.

    🧾 Ingredients (Modern Adaptation)
    Ingredient Qty Est. Cost (UK)
    Fresh nettle leaves (or spinach) 100g £0.00–£1.00 (free if foraged)
    Hazelnuts (crushed or ground) 50g £0.50–£1.00
    Onion (or wild leek) ½ small £0.10
    Water or light stock 500ml ~£0.10
    Salt (optional) to taste <£0.05
    Oil or fat (optional) 1 tsp £0.05

    Estimated total cost: £0.80 – £2.30
    (Serves 2 — approx. £0.40–£1.15 per bowl)

    A bowl containing fresh green coriander leaves, hazelnuts, and sliced onion on a light background.
    Fresh ingredients for a healing nettle soup, including hazelnuts, onion, and green herbs.

    Text on a black background reading 'METHOD (STONE AGE + MODERN)' in golden letters.

    Boil water with foraged nettles, leeks, and crushed hazelnuts in a clay pot over fire.

    Stir with a carved stick until it thickens.

    Serve hot with flatbread or root mash.

    Modern method:

    Wash nettles (use gloves!) or spinach.

    Sauté onion in oil until soft.

    Add water/stock, nettles, and crushed hazelnuts.

    Simmer 10–15 minutes. Blend for smoothness or serve rustic.

    Season lightly. Optional: add oat milk or cream for richness.

    Illustration featuring various vegetables and herbs, labeled 'HEALTH BENEFITS', with a dark green background and a decorative border.


    Nettles: Iron-rich, anti-inflammatory, supports immunity

    Hazelnuts: Healthy fats and protein

    Onion/leek: Supports digestion and circulation

    An ornate background with the word 'Substitutions' written in a decorative gothic font, surrounded by green vine motifs.


    Nettles → spinach, kale, or wild garlic

    Hazelnuts → almonds or sunflower seeds

    Optional: add a dash of nutmeg or thyme

    📖 Suggested Story Pairing
    Serve with:
    “The Fire Within the Child” moments of recovery and resilience.


    This is a soup of healing, strength, and memory. One bowl could mark the difference between fading and fighting. One fire-lit meal could carry the spirit through another night.

    © StormborneLore. Recipe written by Emma for StormborneLore. Not for reproduction. All rights reserved.

    A heartfelt thank you from StormborneLore, inviting readers to connect and support the storytelling journey.

    All ingredients are available on Amazon or at Wholefood suppliers or foraging.

    More Recipes at ;

    Solaris’s Kitchen