Let’s cook History: Medieval Feast
In contrast with the common representation of the middle ages as a gloomy era haunted with famine, this episode provides a more positive view on medieval cuisine. Throughout Europe, medieval kitchens were often filled with innovative, healthy and savory dishes. Enjoy the elaborate information on the preparation of bread, meat, wine and herbs consumed in castles, monasteries and the growing cities.
Scenes
- Master cook in Middle Ages
- Master cooks in the Middle Ages were called ‘squires’. As is shown in this clip, a squire works for a lord and is in control of the meals and the kitchen staff.
- Medieval diet of common people
- Here, information about the medieval diet is given. The common people in the Early Middle Ages lived just outside the castle walls. During these ages, famines were common and the food intake was restricted.
- Wine production in the Middle Ages
- A Medieval inn built in Dutch museum Archeon is the place were acting troubadours gather and drink hippocras. This clip furthermore informs us about the way wine was produced in the Middle Ages.
- Baking bread in the Middle Ages
- Bread was an essential part of every meal in Medieval times. Different types of bread were baked. White bread was made for the rich, affluent population, and darker bread for the poor.
- A healthy medieval lifestyle
- The medieval diet, combined with religous fast days, like Lent, proved to be a great combination for a healthy lifestyle.
- Monasteries: abundance of food
- This clip states that the lifestyle of medieval monks often was more luxurious than intended. They had access to plenty of products and didn’t always follow the rules of fasting.
- Medieval culinary book
- This clip gives information about the 14th century book ‘Le Viandier de Taillevent’. This medieval book is the only book on culinary art of the time, written by a master cook.
- Oriental spices in Medieval dishes
- As a result of Islamic influence, spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg were added to European dishes during Medieval times. The spice trade and silk trade led up to India an China. Also, oriental dishes were introduced in European kitchens.