Chicken eggs laid on Good Friday were once considered particularly powerful. According to popular belief, they could either predict the harvest of the coming year or, eaten raw or cooked, protect against disease. A Philosopher's Egg And this is a Philosopher's Egg. A what? According to E. Cobham Brewer (Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 1894),... Continue Reading →
In questo libro di cucina biblico riccamente illustrato, l'archeologa e storica culinaria Ursula Janssen presenta 40 ricette dei luoghi e del tempo della Bibbia.Grano, orzo, uva, fichi, melograni, olive e miele sono i "Sette Tipi" biblici alla base della cucina della Terra Santa e dell’intera regione del Mediterraneo. Certo, c'è da interpretare; in fondo, la... Continue Reading →
In this richly illustrated cookbook, I present 40 recipes from the places and time of the Bible, offering insight into the prehistoric and early historical mediterranean diet. https://leggi.amazon.it/kp/embed?asin=B08LHML76D&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_udOLFb0XP9KAD Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey are the biblical "Seven Types" that form the basis of the cuisine not only of the Holy Land but... Continue Reading →
Just out: GARUM - the historical cookbook with recipes from the past (Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, medieval Europe and the Middle East, Renaissance). With many photos by Manoocher Deghati. Available here.
An aphrodisiac is an ingredient, a substance or a dish that is meant to enhance lust and passion. The desire to do so is supposedly as old as humanity. The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, who would carry a number of mysterious love potions at her belt – aphrodisiacs. The... Continue Reading →
The celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is probably as old as human settlements and agriculture, if not older. Although the real winter cold is yet to come, the days are getting longer again. The crop has been brought in, there is not much outside work to be done, the... Continue Reading →
I did it: I started a Youtube channel for historic cuisine. In the following weeks I will upload more videos featuring a selection of ancient recipes ranging from Mesopotamia to the Middle Ages. My idea is to present historic recipes in a way that they can be reproduced at home, in normal household kitchens with... Continue Reading →
We've observed the summer and winter solstices for as long as humans have been around. In fact, one of the most popular western celebrations today, Christmas, is reminiscent of the winter solstice celebrations. Known as the darkest time of the year, when days are short and little work is to be done outdoors, there's plenty... Continue Reading →
My novel "The Emir's Trace" about the history and traditions of Puglia is now available in English: When young historian Lia Winter’s uncle dies, she travels to Southern Italy to spend several weeks with her aunt who is a masciàre, a traditional herbalist. Lia quickly finds herself increasingly fascinated by her aunt’s archaic way of life... Continue Reading →
