Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 2
Before modern soups and stews, there were Sops—a humble yet rich medieval dish where stale bread was soaked in broth, wine, or ale, creating a warm, hearty meal. 🏰✨ Sops were enjoyed by peasants and nobility alike, often served with meats, herbs, and spices for extra depth. This forgotten classic is the perfect way to experience authentic medieval dining!
Ingredients For Sops
🔥 For a Traditional Savory Sop:
☑ 2 cups beef or vegetable broth 🍲
☑ 2 thick slices of stale rustic bread 🍞
☑ 1 small onion, finely chopped 🧅
☑ 1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 black pepper 🌶
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 dried thyme or sage 🌿
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 butter 🧈
☑ Salt to taste 🧂
🔥 For a Richer Variation (Optional):
☑ ½ cup ale or red wine 🍷
☑ ½ cup shredded roast chicken or beef 🍖
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 grated cheese 🧀
🔥 For a Sweet Sop:
☑ 1 cup warm milk 🥛
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 honey 🍯
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 cinnamon 🏺
☑ ¼ teaspoon🥄 nutmeg ✨
☑ Stale bread, sliced 🍞
👩🍳 Cooking Steps For Sops
🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Base
1️⃣ In a pot, melt butter and sauté onions and garlic until soft.
2️⃣ Add broth (and ale or wine, if using) and bring to a gentle simmer.
🔥 Step 2: Soak the Bread
1️⃣ Place stale bread slices in a deep dish or bowl.
2️⃣ Pour the hot broth mixture over the bread, letting it soak and soften.
🔥 Step 3: Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Sprinkle with thyme, black pepper, and grated cheese (if using).
2️⃣ For a sweet sop, warm the milk, mix in honey and spices, then pour over the bread.
🏰 Sops: The Medieval Dish That Stood the Test of Time! 🍞🔥
This simple yet deeply flavorful dish is a true taste of history, perfect for a rustic medieval feast or a creative way to use stale bread! Whether you prefer savory or sweet, Sops are a delicious nod to the past—give them a try today! 🚀✨
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Jhal Muri: Kolkata’s Iconic Spicy Puffed Rice Snack! You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
Discover rare culinary experiences at Good Food and More—where every recipe is a journey through heritage, craftsmanship, and unforgettable flavors.
