Fiction To Sink Your Teeth Into, a feature from author and professional chef Rohan O’Duill!

I tried to come up with something that you could have as part of a roadside picnic. Boullion is mentioned in the book and I have created a very quick consommé recipe that hopefully approximates what was intended. To go with it there are some sandwiches which you might have been served in the Borscht Café.

Serves 2

Ingredients for the soup:

• 1 tbsp of sunflower oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 stock cube
• 3 cups of water
• 1 tsp vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Ingredients for the sandwiches:

• Sourdough bread
• Mayo
• Cheese, sliced (Harvarti if you can get it, but if not, don’t worry. Any will do.)
• Kielbasa sausage sliced (or any cold cut meat will do)
• Cucumber, sliced

Directions:

• Saute the onion, carrots and garlic in the oil until they are golden in colour.
• Add the stock cube, the water and vinegar.
• Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Season to your liking.
• Slice the bread, spread some mayo on the surface then add the cheese, meat and cucumber to top.

Serve with some nice tea and lemon, and you. Spread out the picnic blanket, sit back with a good sunhat and enjoy your meal along with this sci-fi classic. If you see any golden spheres, I would suggest staying well clear.