From Beeton's Cookery - all the recipes without Isabella's waffle about the history of barley (yawn).2 pts water
1 pt milk
2 oz lean bacon or ham
1 oz butter
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1 large head of celery
2 onions
salt and pepper
Cut the ham into dice, slice the onions and celery. Melt the butter in a pan, fry the vegetables without browning, put in the bacon and water and simmer for 30 or 40 minutes, or until the clery is tender. Strain, rub through a fine sieve, return to the saucepan, add the milk and bring to the boil. Mix the flour with a little milk, stir and cook for 5 or 6 minutes, season to taste and serve.
Average cost: 6d to 8d. Sufficient for 6 persons.
You could always NOT sieve it. And NOT add so much flour. Try adding a teaspoon of cornflour or rice flour instead. And some ginger, sugar and lemon juice would pep it up a bit.
