While it is true that piety, and with it - asceticism, waned among Russian Tsars beginning with Peter I called the Great, Peter himself actually kept the fasts of the Church, especially in the beginning of his reign. Whether this was due to piety or self-discipline - perhaps, both - but he used to say: “What service can a body offer to the Fatherland if it consists solely of a belly?” One of Tsar Peter’s favorite dishes was barley porridge. On non-fasting days this porridge was made with milk, cream, and butter, but during fasts, dairy was replaced with water. Peter considered the lenten version of barley porridge to be his main fasting staple.
In order to make Tsar Peter’s favorite porridge:
soak barley in cold water overnight
pour off the water in the morning
pour water or milk into a pot and bring to a boil
add soaked barley to the boiling water or milk, reduce heat, and cook on low heat for five to seven minutes
fit the pot with barley into a larger pot filled with water, so that the smaller pot does not touch the bottom
cook the porridge in this double boiler for six to seven hours
when the porridge is ready, add butter and warm cream on non-fasting days, replace butter with oil during fasts; salt, honey, and dried fruit to taste
serve this porridge to your favorite Tsar or Tsarina
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May your Lent be fruitful!
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