SC - Manual de Mugeres: contents list

[Dana Huffman]

Andrea wrote:
>Things I have seen at but would never serve at events:
 ...
>Shortbread
>Lasagna

Did you perhaps have in mind specific versions of those two? Lasagna is
certainly period - there are period recipes for it (and ravioli and other
kinds of pasta). I don't know of any recipe specifically for shortbread, but
I've seen period and/or almost period recipes for Shrowsbury cakes and seed
cakes that are so much like it that I would not be at all surprised if a
period shortbread recipe turned up. Well, maybe a bit surprised, but only
because basic shortbread is so simple that a recipe is hardly needed.

(What I mean by basic shortbread: Take some butter (at room temperature),
considerably less sugar than butter, and mix into these enough flour to make
a very firm dough, kneading until smooth. Spread it in a sheet, or roll and
cut, then bake in a moderately slow oven, and take it out just before the
edges start to turn brown. Much about this depends on the experience of the
baker, but the ingredients and methods are very simple and easy to teach,
learn, and remember without consulting a recipe.)

Alex Clark/Henry of Maldon