Gruel as a treat and a change from oatmeal dishes on an Orkn...
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1969.53
Original Tape ID
Summary
Gruel as a treat and a change from oatmeal dishes on an Orkney croft.
Gruel, made with bought flour, was a treat. Sometimes gruel was all Ethel Findlater's family got for Sunday dinner. Milk was put in the three-toed pot and hung on the crook until it boiled. The flour was mixed with cold milk until it made a smooth paste. It was added to the boiled milk and the mixture was brought back to the boil. The pot had to be linked up or down to prevent it from burning. It boiled for a quarter of an hour or so, and then sugar was added. The gruel was poured into soup plates, and eaten with milk and rhubarb jam - or strawberry jam as a luxury.
Item Location
County - Orkney
Parish - Sandwick
Island - Orkney Mainland
Village/Place - Dounby, Breckan
Language
English, Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good