A nourishing, vibrant broth for slow January days, inspired by the travels of Lesley Blanch
The Literary Inspiration: Lesley Blanch and the “Lord of the Arrows”
To read Lesley Blanch is to surrender to what she called a “love of a horizon.” She was a woman who lived with one eye on the samovar and the other on the Orient Express—a writer who proved that “you must think yourself where you want to be.” Whether she was tracing the obsessive lives of exiles in The Wilder Shores of Love or recounting her own lifelong obsession with the “icy mists” of Siberia in Journey into the Mind’s Eye, Blanch understood that a recipe is never just a list of ingredients. It is a map.
My own journey into Blanch’s world began as a gift from a friend—a quiet reminder that friendships often know our needs before we do. As I move gently past my own cultural biases and into the “kingdom of the mind” that was Blanch’s Russia, I find myself craving the grounding rituals of the Slavic kitchen.
Why Beetroot is the Ultimate January Self-Care Ingredient
This soup is not a traditional borscht, but a “personal variation” born of the need for winter sustenance. It is a dish for the “Lord of the Arrows,” thick with the staples of the north—leeks, cabbage, and turnip—but elevated by the deep, garnet intensity of the beets. It has a contemplative rhythm; you chop, you simmer, and you wait while the windows fog over and the kitchen fills with steam. It is the opposite of a punishing January cleanse—it is nourishment that feels like love rather than discipline.
Sit with your bowl, prop your book open beside it, and let the earthiness of the beets and the bright spark of cider vinegar carry you toward your own wilder shores.
How to Make This Slavic-Inspired Beet & Barley Soup
Description
A deep, jewel-toned soup that balances the earthy sweetness of beets with the hearty texture of pearled barley and the tang of cider vinegar. This recipe follows Ayurvedic principles for winter wellness, providing warmth and grounding when the world outside is cold.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, warm a splash of oil or a knob of butter over medium heat. Add the onion and leek, sautéing until they are translucent and fragrant. This creates the gentle, aromatic base for our broth. - Build the Texture
Stir in the carrots, shredded cabbage, and cubed turnip. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the edges of the vegetables to soften and begin to release their sweetness. - Simmer with the Grain
Pour in the homemade chicken stock and add the pearled barley. Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the barley is tender and chewy. - Add the Garnet Glow
Stir in the cubed cooked beets and the cider vinegar. The vinegar is essential—it cuts through the earthiness of the roots and preserves the soup’s vibrant magenta color. Simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to marry. - Final Adjustments
Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Just before serving, stir in the fresh dill and parsley to add a bright, herbal lift to the deep, wintery flavors. - The Ritual
Ladle into deep bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream or greek yoghurt.
A Note from The Literary Kitchen
I imagine this soup simmering on a heavy stove as a January gale rattles the windowpanes, the steam rising like the “icy mists” of a Siberian morning in Lesley Blanch’s mind. It is a dish that honors the vagabond spirit—turning the humblest gifts of the winter earth into a vibrant, garnet-colored elixir that defies the grey sky outside. The rhythmic act of cubing the beets and stirring the barley is a form of magic in itself, a way to “think yourself where you want to be” without ever leaving home.
If you find yourself traveling to these wilder shores through your own kitchen, I’d love to see it! Share your creation on Instagram with the hashtag #RitualOfReadingFood and tag @ritual_of_reading. Let’s gather a collection of these culinary maps, each bowl a testament to the stories that nourish us long after the final page is turned.
FAQ: The Literary & Nutritional Ritual
Who was Lesley Blanch?
Lesley Blanch (1904–2007) was an English writer, traveler, and historian best known for her book The Wilder Shores of Love. She was a pioneer of “vagabond” travel writing and had a lifelong fascination with Russia and the Middle East.
Why is beetroot soup good for winter wellness?
According to Ayurvedic principles, beetroot is a grounding, “blood-building” root vegetable. In winter, its earthy sweetness provides Sattvic nourishment, helping to balance the cold, airy qualities of the season while providing essential fiber and antioxidants.
What is the difference between this recipe and a traditional Russian Borscht?
While traditional Borscht often relies on bone broths and specific fermentation (like beet sour), this “Vagabond Soup” is a simplified version designed for slow living. It uses pearled barley for texture and cider vinegar for a modern, bright acidity that highlights the beets without the need for long fermentation.
Written by Alexandra Poppy
Writer, reader & curator of The Ritual of Reading
I’m Alexandra, the voice behind The Ritual of Reading. Somewhere between a stack of novels and a half-finished pot of tea, I keep finding traces of the life I want to live—slower, richer, filled with stories. The Ritual of Reading is where I gather what I love: books that linger, places with a past, and rituals that make ordinary days feel a little more meaningful. I write from Paris, where elegant bookshops and old-fashioned cafés offer endless inspiration—and I share it here, hoping it brings a spark to your own days, too.
