As I’ve noted before, Vulcans are sure fond of their plomeek. You can have it as a thick soup, as a tea - and now, a broth too. While not very filling, I can see this broth as being a great food for sick Vulcans, or maybe as a starter to a more elaborate Vulcan banquet.
Plomeek broth seemed to be a favourite of T'Pol, who requested it on more than one occasion (Enterprise: Strange New World; Singularity; Doctor’s Orders). If you like eating savoury foods in the morning, plomeek broth also makes a nice breakfast or brunch dish. This dish is vegan but if you eat eggs, I could also see it working well with a poached egg added when served.
Replicate your own
(Serves 2-3 as a starter)
3 medium sized beetroots
2 carrots
1 onion
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bayleaves
1 litre vegetable stock
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
Pinch of smoked paprika
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar in a pinch)
Start by preparing the beetroots. Wearing gloves, use a vegetable peeler to peel the skins off. Then chop them into chunks and set aside. As you are straining the vegetables after they’re cooked, you don’t need to worry about chopping them nicely.
Chop the carrots and onion into rough pieces. Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan and add the onion, thyme, salt, pepper and bayleaves. Cook for a few minutes until the onion begins to soften.
Add the carrots and beetroot and cook for a further few minutes. Then add the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer, with the lid on the saucepan, for about 40-50 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and almost falling apart.
Strain the broth into a bowl, and test for seasoning (you might need to add more salt or pepper). The leftover vegetables can be eaten if you wish, although they probably won’t have much flavour left.
To serve the soup, stir in the paprika and the vinegar, and serve either warm or cold. Add a sprinkle of more paprika as a garnish if you wish.