Orcadian Oatmeal Soup

This recipe came recommended from a colleague, and originated from an old country cookbook. It makes a lovely and unusual soup which is perfect for the winter months. If you love oats then you’ll really enjoy this easy-to-make dish. And it is so filling, we found that only a small bowl was required to fill up an empty puggie!

This recipe makes around 2 to 3 portions, and uses fine oatmeal – we think Hamlyn’s Scottish oatmeal, found in many supermarkets, is ideal for the job.

It makes around 2 to 3 portions, and uses fine oatmeal – we think Hamlyn’s Scottish oatmeal, found in many supermarkets, is ideal for the job. You can also use this oatmeal to make delicious oatcakes – the perfect accompaniment to Orcadian Oatmeal Soup!

Orcadian Oatmeal Soup ingredients
Orcadian Oatmeal Soup ingredients photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon

Ingredients:

  • 50g (2oz) carrots – grated.
  • 1 leek – finely chopped
  • 150g (6oz) cabbage or turnip – finely chopped (we used cabbage)
  • 25g (1oz) fine oatmeal
  • 1 pint of vegetable or chicken stock (we used vegetable stock here)
Chopped veg for Orcadian Oatmeal Soup
Chopped veg for Orcadian Oatmeal Soup photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon

Method:

  1. Heat some butter or oil in a large pan.
  2. Add all the vegetables and sweat on a low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Adding the oatmeal after sweating the vegetables
Adding the oatmeal after sweating the vegetables photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon
  1. Add the oatmeal and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently so the oatmeal doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
  2. Add the stock and simmer for 15 minutes. Towards the end of this time, the soup will be considerably thicker.
Add the stock and simmer the soup
Add the stock and simmer the soup photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon
  1. The Orcadian Oatmeal Soup can be liquidised now, but if you wish, you can leave out this step.
  2. Heat through thoroughly and season to taste.
Orcadian Oatmeal Soup - after being liquidised
Orcadian Oatmeal Soup – after being liquidised photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon
  1. On a storm-beaten day, serve along with butter and bread and oatcakes, to a happy table.
Magnus DixonBy Magnus Dixon
Orkney and Shetland enthusiast, family man, loves walks, likes animals, terrible at sports, dire taste in music, adores audiobooks and films, eats a little too much for his own good.

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Header image: Orcadian Oatmeal Soup recipe photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon