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American Civil War Recipes: Venison Soup and Bread Pudding

© Mary M. Alward

What did soldiers in the American Civil War eat? Hunted game included squirrels, rabbits, deer and other animals easily found in the woods and meadows of the area in which the soldiers were fighting. Some soldiers confiscated cows, chickens and other animals from farms. They also fished in rivers, creeks and streams.

Army rations for both the Union and Confederacy included hard tack, a kind of biscuit. Union soldiers received fresh or salted beef, salt pork, dried fruit, sugar, coffee, salt and dried vegetables. Confederate soldiers weren't as lucky. They received bacon, molasses, beans, tea, sugar, corn meal and fresh fruit and vegetables when they were in season.

Venison Soup Recipe

* Note: Stewing beef may be substitued for venison.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. venison
• 1 large onion
• 4 medium carrots
• 3 stalks celery
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. desired stew spices

Directions:

1. Cut meat into cubes and put into soup pot. Cover with water.
2. Add pepper, salt, and optional stew spices. Stew gently for 1 hour.
3. While meat is stewing, clean and chop celery and onion. Slice carrots.
4. Add vegetables to stew. Taste; add salt, pepper and stew spice if needed.
5. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours. Serve.

This soup may be thickened or left as is, depending on your preference.

Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 4 cups bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, making certain the milk has moistened all the bread crumbs.
3. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until dinner knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Serve while hot. May be served with milk or ice cream if desired.

For other American history recipes, try some Black History Recipes. They're delicious and nutritious.

The copyright of the article American Civil War Recipes: Venison Soup and Bread Pudding in Cooking with Children is owned by Mary M. Alward. Permission to republish American Civil War Recipes: Venison Soup and Bread Pudding in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.