SC - The Kitchen article

[Seton1355 at aol.com]

Here is the article from the kitchen site that so many people seem to be 
having trouble getting to.    (Geez!  Microsoft would have you believe that 
we have *Star Trek* capabilities - when it's really the Luddites who rule!!!  
 Luddites Unite!!)
Phillipa

The Castle Kitchen 
Position and Construction: 
The medieval kitchen was where all the dishes for the castle's meals were 
prepared. It was usually set away from the great hall, where most of the 
meals were served. This was to prevent a fire in the kitchen from spreading 
to the great hall. Fires happened often because all food was cooked over a 
fire or in an oven. However, because the kitchen was built away from the 
great hall, food often got cold on the trip from the kitchen to the great 
hall. Thus, an enclosed passageway of wood or stone would be constructed 
between the two. This would help to keep out the wind and keep the food warm 
on the trip. The kitchen itself could be constructed of wood or stone. 

Appliances and Cooking Utensils: 

A medieval kitchen had many different objects and appliances to help with 
cooking and preparation of food. The most important were the stoves and 
fireplaces. Animals were often cooked over the fire in the fireplace on 
spits. Spits were long poles of wood on which an animal could be secured. The 
spit would then be turned over the fire to make sure the animal was cooked 
evenly. Soups and stews were also cooked in a fireplace. They were cooked in 
large iron, bronze, copper, or clay pots placed directly on the fire. A 
fireplace could also be used to smoke meat, a primitive form of preserving 
it. An oven might be used to make bread or cook other dishes like pastries or 
pies. A large sink was also built in the kitchen. Knives were used to carve 
and prepare the meat. There were many different types of knives used for 
different purposes. Also in the kitchen, there was a place to store wine and 
ale.