A promissory for furtherness

[hrj]

As part of reading the source materials for the recent Perfectly Period Feast, I was perusing the various menus cited in Messisbugo (mid-16th c. Italian cookery manual). And I started noticing some regular similarities between the menus. So of course I created a spreadsheet to analyze them. (You knew there was going to be a spreadsheet in here somewhere.) And this tied in with my offer to do a small 16th century Italian dinner for thread_walker at Mists Coronet this weekend. So I started thinking about how those regularities between the menus could be used to identify the essential structural components of a mid-16th century Italian menu, so that in condensing the structure, I could retain the essence. I also started thinking about how I could compare the Messisbugo menus to Scappi's menus, and to menus any other 16th c. culinary Italian culinary sources, and ... well, but that's a different project.

At any rate, I did sufficient analysis to be comfortable coming up with a small menu of 4 courses of 3 dishes each (not counting what's on the table to begin with or the sweets course after the tables are cleared).

For which I am currently cooking.

Menu (analysis and results) and recipes will be forthcoming. I won't actually have the final recipes until I've cooked the dishes, although I have the general notion sketched out already. There may be pix, if I remember.

Comments

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

So I started thinking about how those regularities between the menus could be used to identify the essential structural components of a mid-16th century Italian menu,

Geek central. I liked this enough that I read it aloud. caper_est has begged for mercy ;-)

I *really* like the way you think.

[countess-e.livejournal.com]

This sounds thoroughly interesting. I'm looking forward greatly to hearing about your conclusions.

Bread baking is tonight.

[gormflaith.livejournal.com]

you needed 12, right?

Re: Bread baking is tonight.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Right. And thanks again!

[lapioggia.livejournal.com]

oh yum! Messisbugo has some of my favorite recipes: risotto, beef rolls & beautiful salads etc. I'm sure it will be a lovely meal.
I have done some similar concordances of italian menus, and look forward to seeing your conclusions.