SC - non-messy, period, dayboard-type food

[Bronwynmgn@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/26/00 8:05:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Eleanor 
d'Aubrecicourt writes:

> Even beef jerky will leave grease on the fingers.  Fruit will leave sticky
>  from the juice.  If I put as much work into a project as your average
>  needleworker, I would definately want to wash my hands after eating
>  anything.  Personally, I would arrange some way to have hand washing
>  available, even if you need to heat the water.  Then you could serve any
>  finger foods you want :-)
>  
>  
I agree with this post wholeheartedly. The only way your going to have food 
that doesn't touch you is to eat it through a straw!

you could have finger bowls available on the table with a small towel 
available, or even a table set aside to wash. There is a wonderful 
handwashing recipe in Menagier. I've been incorporating handwashing into my 
feasts, large and small, and it is always met with pleasure. Usually the 
washing is done before eating, but never mind that.

For one feast, I couldn't manage to get towels for all 150 feasters, so I 
bought rolls of really good paper towels, the quilted kind (sounds like a 
commercial). I put 8 into a flat bowl (think soup) and filled with warm 
handwashing water. Each person could take a towel, use it and dispose of it. 
Sort of like using baby wipes only more period. 

Here is my recipe (albeit simple) and the original,
Menagier de Paris found in Cariodoc’s Miscellany Collection

"To make water to wash the hands at table: Boil sage, then strain the water, 
and let cool until it is luke-warm. Or instead you can use chamomile or 
marjoram, or rosemary and cook with the peel of an orange. And also laurel 
leaves (bay leaves) are good for this."

Recipe

1 Quart of  water (if at Pennsic, used bottled water or it will turn brown)
10 fresh sage leaves, or a small handful of chamomile, marjoram or 
rosemary(you can use tea bags here or cheese cloth, to make the straining 
later a non issue)
1 peel of an orange (preferably a Seville orange, eat the rest) or rose water 
( this was the choice as one of the feasters has a severe allergy to citrus)
1 bay leaf


In a pot, bring the water to boil and add the herbs and peel, if using rose 
water add at the very end or it will lose it’s aroma. Allow to cool then 
strain. Bottle and keep (if you need to) for a few days.
Simplified Instructions;
When readying to use the water, heat gently or add hot water to warm it 
slightly. Using a pitcher and basin, keeping  a towel over your shoulder, 
allow the person to hold their hands over the bowl while you pour. They 
should rub their hands together. When finished, offer them the towel. Where 
there is no table to set down the bowl this best works with two people, one 
to hold the bowl, the other to offer the towel and pour the water.

Hauviette