As I've noted before, Vulcans are sure fond of their plomeek. You can have it as a thick soup, as a tea - and now, a broth too. While not very filling, I can see this broth as being a great food for sick Vulcans, or maybe as a starter to a more elaborate Vulcan banquet.

Plomeek broth seemed to be a favourite of T'Pol, who requested it on more than one occasion (Enterprise: Strange New World; Singularity; Doctor's Orders). If you like eating savoury foods in the morning, plomeek broth also makes a nice breakfast or brunch dish. This dish is vegan but if you eat eggs, I could also see it working well with a poached egg added when served.

Replicate your own (Serves 2-3 as a starter)

3 medium sized beetroots 2 carrots 1 onion 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 or 3 sprigs fresh thyme 2 bayleaves 1 litre vegetable stock 1 teaspoon salt Pinch of pepper Pinch of smoked paprika 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar in a pinch)

Start by preparing the beetroots. Wearing gloves, use a vegetable peeler to peel the skins off. Then chop them into chunks and set aside. As you are straining the vegetables after they're cooked, you don't need to worry about chopping them nicely.

Chop the carrots and onion into rough pieces. Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan and add the onion, thyme, salt, pepper and bayleaves. Cook for a few minutes until the onion begins to soften.

Add the carrots and beetroot and cook for a further few minutes. Then add the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer, with the lid on the saucepan, for about 40-50 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and almost falling apart.

Strain the broth into a bowl, and test for seasoning (you might need to add more salt or pepper). The leftover vegetables can be eaten if you wish, although they probably won't have much flavour left.

Vulcans are sure fond of plomeek, it seems. Plomeek soup is definitely the most famous food using this ingredient, but we cannot discount plomeek broth, or indeed plomeek tea. This drink was not shown on screen but seems to have been a regular fixture on the Enterprise NX01 menu (Enterprise: Singularity).

I'm not sure if plomeek is considered a healthy vegetable on Vulcan, but this tea is certainly meant to have medicinal effects. If various websites are to be believed, it will help purify your blood, cleanse your liver and kidneys, acts as an antacid and lowers your blood pressure. Disclaimer: not tested for health effects on Vulcans!

Regardless of the health benefits, this tea is refreshing, tasty and great hot or cold. It's perfect for a Vulcan tea party - although that would be illogical, of course.

Replicate your own (Makes 1 litre)

1 medium-sized beetroot 50ml honey Juice from 2 lemons (about 100-120ml) 1 litre water Mint, to garnish

Peel the beetroot, then grate until finely shredded.

Boil the water, then add the honey to the saucepan and pour the boiling water over it, stirring to dissolve the honey. Add the lemon juice and the beetroot, and bring to the boil again.

After it's boiled, let the mixture steep for at least 30-40 minutes. Strain to remove the beetroot pieces, and pour into a jug to store.

To serve, reheat if desired, or serve at cold (add ice if you wish). Garnish with some mint leaves.

Notes:

I'd suggest wearing gloves when you peel and grate the beetroot, unless you don't mind having pink hands for a day or two!