Minnesota - The North Star State, State flower: Pink and White Lady’s Slipper

1. Swedish Dried Pea Soup
2. Fruited Snow with Apricot Sauce
3. Game Hens with Wild Rice and Hazelnut Dressing
4. Hot Curried Prunes
5. Swedish Rye Brad
6. Cranberry Pie

Swedish Dried Pea Soup - Serves 6

This is a national dish, served every Thursday, even in the King's household. The dish is also popular in other Scandinavian countries.

1 lb dried yellow peas
3 qt water
1 lb smoked pork or ham
2 tsp salt
¼ tsp ground ginger

Wash and clean the peas, drain. Cover with cold water and let stand overnight. Drain. Put into kettle or 6 quart sauce pan and bring slowly to a boil. Cook vigorously for 1 hour. Skim off skins as they float to top. Add the meat, lower the heat, cover the pan and cook slowly for 2 hours, perhaps longer. Add seasonings. Remove the meat. Slice t and serve with the soup but on a separate plate with mustard and black pepper.

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