[Sca-cooks] Re: Shepherd's Pies

[Philip W. Troy & Susan Troy]

Bethra Spicewell wrote:

>   On topic tho -- IS there any evidence for casserole type dishes in
> (European) period ? The only ones I've found that come close are some
> of the Middle Eastern stuff.
>   Always looking for new ways to surprise friends and relitives with
> "ancient" food

Do not adjust your sets. I'm replying to this a second time, because I
just remembered that Kenelm Digby's Savory Toasted Cheese recipe (1669
CE and post-period) contains optional instructions to brown the cheese
goo, which may or may not be mixed with boiled vegetables such as
asparagus (you're supposed to use fresh butter _or_ the leftover butter
from boiled, buttered vegetables such as sparrowgrass, as well as any
leftover sparrowgrass that may be lying around).

So, in theory, this could be interpreted as a gratin of asparagus (or
other vegetable), butter and cheese. No, broccoli or green beans are
almost certainly not what Digby intended, fellow Easterner. ;  )

Adamantius
--
Phil & Susan Troy

troy at asan.com

"It was so blatant that Roger threw at him.  Clemens gets away with
things that get other people thrown out of games.  As long as they
let him get away with it, it's going  to continue." -- Joe Torre, 9/98