Quelque Chose

If you travel with the Halflings of the Three Shires , it's quite possible the subject will turn towards food. And if it does, be prepared to have them wax absolutely rhapsodic about their Granpere's recipe for fried fish or liquor or their Granmere's biscuits, hushpuppies, or mulled wine. You'll know the conversation is getting serious, however, when they discuss the family Quelque Chose.

This term encompasses a number of soups or stews, usually starting from a roux made of flour and butter, then adding stock, vegetables, whatever meats are on hand, and a goodly amount of Swamp Pepper and a family spice mix. The exact nature of the spice mix varies from families even within a clan, and feuds have been fought over which family's Quelque Chose spice mix is superior. This is a matter of great honor among families and should not be made light of.

The name originates from a phrase meaning, essentially "Whatever", and it's sometimes lovingly nicknamed "Everything Soup". The vegetables and meats can be whatever one has on hand, but families would rarely even bother to prepare it without their favored spices.