Vegan Potage Stew (British Medieval Inspired Recipe) - Traditional Plant-Based Cooking (2024)

Vegan medieval potage stew is based on the British meal that was popular throughout the middle ages.

There are many variations of potage stew and my plant-based version contains root vegetables, onions, garlic, butter beans, barley, oatmeal and red lentils. Flavoured with vegetable extract (marmite) fresh herbs, dried herbs, veggie stock and vegan gravy to bring this medieval dish into the 21st century flavour palate!

Some of these ingredients would not have been available during the medieval ages but as with all good recipes that stand-the-test-of-time they do so by being versatile and easily adaptable.

Besides my daughter is a complete medieval enthusiast and helped to develop this recipe from all the knowledge she has gained researching. I might also have used some of her history props for the photos!

What is Medieval Potage Stew?

First off potage can be spelt with either one t or two t's as in pottage. The word potage is actually an newer spelling variation. Potage translates from French to simply mean 'food cooked in a pot'.

The food cooked in the pot would have been akin to a stew, soup or porridge, or something in between. Potage tends to lean over towards the thicker spectrum of stews.

Medieval potage stew has been around since at least the 14th Century, originating in France and being adopted by the British.

Medieval peasants did not have meat as an everyday staple instead relying on vegetables and grains, such as barley.

Peasants would have been unlikely to have afforded to add meat to their potage and would have chucked in any edible greenery and vegetables they could afford, grow, trade or forage around their local environment.

Albeit, when meat was available it would have been included along with the vegetables, grains and herbs.

The potage would have been cooked in a cast-iron cauldron pot over an open fire/fireplace. With a large wooden spoon used to stir the potage.

Thick slabs of bread were often used as plates and the potage ladled directly onto the hard bread. The bread was rarely eaten but was often donated to peasants or beggars.

Popular film culture has embraced the potage meal. Whenever there is a dinner scene during a medieval or historical movie that involves feeding peasants its generally a potage type meal that is generally served up!

There is an episode of AMC's Into the Badlands series (Season 2 episode 1) where the mine prisoners are fed what looked strikingly similar to my potage stew recipe! My daughter got quite excited when she saw the potage slopped onto the dinner plates!

So if you have a family member who is a medieval, knights, King Arthur, Robin Hood, Lord of the Rings, or living history fan and enthusiast, then this recipe is ideal and so much fun!

Especially served in wooden bowls or platters.

A great idea for Halloween parties or gatherings is to serve this potage in a hollowed out pumpkin or little individual pumpkins. Kids will love preparing this potage and mixing the cauldron saucepan!

How to Prepare Vegan Medieval Potage Stew

The beauty of potage is that it can be as simple or as inventive as you desire. No two potages will be the same so each time you prepare it, it will be like an evolving creation which will just get tastier as you practice. My daughter loves the medieval ages so she is the potage creator in the family.

Any size cooking pot/pan can be used depending on what you have and how many you are cooking for. Also, it is up to you how much vegetables, grains and legumes you'd like to add. There is absolutely no wrong way of making potage.

Everything and anything edible can get bunged in. Even local edible weeds such as dandelion or nettle.

To make your potage even more economical use reduced vegetable bargains from your local supermarket. As well as look out for vegetables in season as they tend to be less expensive.

Recipe Notes And FAQS

How To Prepare Medieval Inspired Potage Stew

To save time and effort use a bag of ready prepared frozen or fresh root veg mix. Or prepare your own veggies.

Add the root veggies and barley to a large saucepan.

Tip in the butterbeans, minced garlic, and fresh herbs.

Add mixed dried herbs and the bay leaf.

Toss in the lentils and stock cubes.

Pour in the water and scoop in the vegetable extract or Marmite.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add oatmeal, vegan gravy powder and chopped kale.

Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

More Vegan Stew And Hotpot Recipes

Green Lentil and Haricot Bean Mashed Potato Pie (Hotpot)

Vegan Scottish Stovies

Vegan Lancashire Hotpot

Vegan Irish Stew

Vegan Creamy Cashew, Lentil and Roast Cauliflower Moroccan Stew

Slow Cooker Vegan Beef Stew With Fluffy Dumplings

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