A Good Prognosis by Annmarwalk

[sila-lumenn.livejournal.com]

Merry’s on a restricted diet...

Title: A Good Prognosis
Author: Annmarwalk
Characters: Merry, Eowyn
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Not mine, merely borrowed
Author’s Note: A birthday drouble for allie_meril

A Good Prognosis

“What d’ye mean, I’m to have only soup?” Merry’s voice grew louder, and more shrill, with each passing moment. The young server was courteous, but growing increasingly distressed, and she welcomed the White Lady’s intervention with obvious relief.

“ ‘Light diet’, indeed. Can you imagine such a thing? How am I supposed to get better, if I don’t eat?”

Eowyn, who up until that moment had had no interest in eating whatsoever, lifted the linen napkin covering the tray. There was not only soup, tantalizingly scented of lemon and dill, but also flaky rolls dripping with honey butter and fruit-topped custard.

Quite surprisingly, her stomach growled.

Merry let out a roar of laughter. “See! You’re ready to eat too! But we must have more than just soup - that wouldn’t keep a flea alive. The idea!”

Ioreth, listening behind the door, hurried to spread the word that these patients were, clearly, recovering.

Soupa Avgolemono (Egg-Lemon Soup) – Serves 4
Ingredients:
5 cups chicken broth
1/3 cups orzo pasta or long-grain rice
1/4 teaspoon dill weed (or 2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill)
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 large eggs
1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)
salt, to taste

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, heat the broth to boiling over high heat. Add the orzo/rice, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, about 17 minutes, or until orzo/rice is tender. Stir in the dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and lemon juice until blended. Gradually whisk 1 cup of the hot broth into the eggs to temper them. Add this egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly, and simmer over medium heat 2 minutes, or until the soup has thickened slightly. Serve immediately.
Try this with warm whole-wheat pita bread and a Greek salad for a light lunch or supper. Delicious!

Comments

[marigoldg.livejournal.com]

Lovely story! Very hobbity!

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Very high praise indeed, coming from you!*preens*

[marigoldg.livejournal.com]

You are welcome! I am going to look around for your other stories just as soon as I can!

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh! *Scurries frantically over to SoA to see if everything is there*

[budgielover.livejournal.com]

The mental picture of Merry protesting like that just tickled me. I can hear the indignation in his voice. I wager he would have been a difficult patient, and there is a lot more of this story to be told. This was delightful.

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, it's quite a funny scene, isn't it? the poor serving girl, and Merry getting redder and more aggravated by the moment, and Eowyn having to play peacemaker and calm him down. Bring on the roast chicken and barley pilau and peas and onions! Build up their strength!

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*laugh* Merry, you bad thing, don't terrorize the serving-girls. *giggles very much* Egg-lemon soup is delicious, isn;t it?