Medieval Cookbook

Additional Details

Description: Tales of the colorful and sumptuous way of life enjoyed by the monarchs and nobles of the Middle Ages -- and the considerably less splendid lives of their subjects -- continue to enchant and stimulate modern readers. Here for their delectation is a delicious and beautifully illustrated survey of the Middle Ages and its food. 

This mouth-watering selection of eighty recipes has been drawn from medieval manuscripts and adapted for the modern kitchen. The dishes reflect the food eaten at all levels of society, from the grilled steaks pictured in the Bayeux Tapestry to the Rose Pudding enjoyed by Richard II. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's Cook was expert in "Chicken with Rice and Almonds" while the Summoner was fond of "Golden Leeks and Onions." An amusing section on life in the cloister shows how monks and nuns endeavoured to live well despite their strict rules: "Fried Fig Pastries" were a special treat in Lent. 

Each section has an introduction which sets the historical and literary context and is then followed by recipes updated for the modern cook. The book ends with a chapter on herbs and "simples" -- medicinal herbs that produced cures for many everyday troubles, based on long experience and often helped by a dose of folk magic. 

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Condition: Good condition. Bottom jacket corner has very tiny bit of wear.