SC - OT - Pseudo-Medievaloid Cookery Saves the Day

[Philip & Susan Troy]

Kiri posted: 
>                             Sinapidum rubeum--Reddish Mustard
> 
>                                 Platina--De honesta voluptate
> Original:
> 
> "Grind up mustard, raisins, white corn meal and toasted bread crumbs and a little cinnamon, either separately or all together; when they are ground up, dissolve them in verjuice or vinegar and a little must. And pass this into dishes through a strainer. This is less warming than the [mustard recipe] above and stimulates the thirst and is agreeably nourishing."

Thanks for the original and your redaction. Just a few comments.

> Notes:
> 
> The translation called for "white corn meal". Because I am unaware of the existence of corn meal in 16th century Italy, I believe that this is a mistake in translation, but do not know enough classical Latin as it was used in the Renaissance to do my own translation. Therefore I simply omitted it. Possibly the original referred to "meal", which might have been oats or spelt, according to information found in "A Taste of Ancient Rome" and "The Original Mediterranean Cuisine".

I think rather than a translation error, just a difference in definition
of "corn flour"
between the Americas and Europe. From discussions earlier here. "Corn"
meant the local
grain. In the US, maize. In Europe, wheat or oats or whatever. My guess,
since it
said "white" corn would be fine wheat flour.
 
> Also, as must is not generally available, I have substituted burgundy wine, as it seemed to be a reasonable substitute.

Maybe. We've discussed "must" here before. I'm not sure whether the final
definition was the pressed grape remains or grape juice. Does using a 
burgundy wine give you a red-hued mustard sauce? I'm thinking a white
wine might be better, but that might depend on the definition of "must".
Oops. Now I see that the title was "Reddish Mustard" so maybe red wine
or red must would be the appropriate choice.

Anyway, you might check the mustard-msg file in the Florilegium for some
of the discussion on "must".

- -- 
Lord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
Mark S. Harris             Austin, Texas           stefan at texas.net
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****