Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Way Back Wednesday: Renaissance Herb Tart

Herb Tart Slice

While browsing at the library, I found a book on the shelf entitled Shakespeare's Kitchen: Renaissance Recipes for the Contemporary Cook. Naturally, I picked it up and checked it out. It's a really lovely book and has a good variety of interesting recipes that are adapted from some of the earliest printed cookbooks, like Gervase Markham's The English Huswife, from 1615.

I've adapted the recipe for Herb Tart slightly; the biggest change was my switch to golden raisins from currants and adding more of them. This is a good recipe and I enjoyed eating it the first night, but the prospect of eating leftovers was rather daunting. I don't know why that happens with some recipes, but it does. I'd recommend serving this to guests so as to eliminate the chance of leftovers. ;-)

Herb Tart

Herb Tart

While we're on the subject of Shakespeare, the Wichita Shakespeare Company is performing Troilus and Cressida (if it doesn't rain, that is) at Riverside Park this Friday and College Hill Park this Saturday. This has been a tough year for the arts in Kansas. Our governor, Sam Brownback, vetoed annual funding for the Kansas Arts Commission. If you're in the area, come out and show your support for the arts in Kansas. Just because we're in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean we can't have some culture.

*****





Susan at The Well-Seasoned Cook hosts Black and White Wednesday.







Here's a shot in black and white of Monday's Easy Peasy Soup. Both photos were taken on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Monday's used Blanko "film" and the John S "lens." This photo was taken with Claunch 72 Monochrome "film" and the John S "lens." The best part of using the Hipstamatic app is that is takes real, honest-to-goodness black and white photographs. There's no color version of this exact shot that I just converted to black and white, which makes using the app more like shooting with a film camera.
Easy Peasy Soup Black & White

14 comments:

  1. Mmmm...this looks really good. Well, except for the raisins. I'm not a big raisin fan. Yep, some foods don't make great leftovers, and some (soups and stews) are *better* the second day.

    Your raw milk cheddar post the other day inspired me to have a delicious cheddar and apple grilled cheese. Still have to seek out some local raw milk cheddar, though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mmmm this recipe sounds delicious, especially with the raisins and cheese!

    I always love your black and white photographs! I love black and white photography in general, if I had my way (and lots of money) I'd have my own dark room and I'd still be shooting with film.
    I am going to have to check out the Hipstamatic app!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Seeing photos like the one at the end of this post really makes me want to get an iphone! I'm sorry to hear about your governor's cut backs on the arts. It really is a shame that so many are cutting their arts programs. I truly feel it's something we absolutely need in our society.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh the tart looks very tasty I am very much partial to spinach,think I may have to try a variation of this. And the black and white photo is lovely x

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks so good. I'm surprised that you didn't really want to eat leftovers. But, I know what you mean about some recipes not being so appealing the next day. . . .

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Shakespeare's Kitchen"... you find the most interesting recipes. Very nice black and white photo with the table setting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooh, I do like the look of this. And like Emily, your photos really do make me want to get an iphone. I still have the very first phone I bought in 1995 so maybe it is time...

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have to disagree with you a little, I sometimes find some cooked food improved a day later, not necessarily tarts of course as there is a tendency of a soggy bottom, but others dishes like soups, stews, veggie chillies where the flavours intensify on sitting.

    I really like the look of this herby tart. Its so interesting to see a B&W version of the green photograph too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your tart is lovely! Stupid government...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very, very nice BW version.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is a delish looking tart. I think I'd skip the raisins too - rainins in sweets I love, but I am a litrle more dubious in the savoury.

    ReplyDelete
  12. this photo makes me want to get an i phone :) this herb tart is exactly the type of dish I am fond of !! and a cooking book about shakespeare's kitchen is totally appealling!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Way to support the arts in Kansas! Wish I had an iPhone to take the spiffy photos - they look awesome. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. (Think my first comment might have died.) Thank you, Lauren, for this BWW Hipstamatic shot. The app is so much fun; it's my fave on my iPhone. Your dining nook looks so cozy and charming. Great dishery, too.

    And a really fine tart. I love ancient recipes. How typical to use raisins. : }

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.