[Sca-cooks] MK cooks was Re: Imaginary List

[Louise Smithson]

Philip wrote:
(snipped for length)
The feasts in the MK tend not to be particularly
period <snip>
Much of the reason MK feasts seem to be non-period is
I think, because there's a perception that period food
is nasty in the MK <snip>

Unfortunately as a cook in the middle kingdom who has (unfortunately)
only attended local Baronial Feasts (one was OK, the other was a
potluck).  I have to agree with Philip.  When I told my household I
would make them period food next camp they all pulled their faces "I
don't like medieval food".  I have had a similar response from members
of my Canton.  Why?  I think I had my answer recently.  I started
attending the local cooks guild.  We made chicken pyes from The good
huswives jewel (I provided the original recipe).  We were all free to
season as we wished within the confines of the several recipes therein.
While I tend to add cinnamon, ginger, pepper or whatever in an amount
that accentuates the flavor everyone else added huge amounts, such that
it was CINNAMON chicken in a pie or CLOVE chicken in a pie, rather than
CHICKEN with cinnamon and clove.  Which was more period?  I don't know
but I know which tasted better to me and probably to most first time
tasters.
I have to wonder were they influenced in part by the old "knowledge"
that medieval food was highly spiced?
Helewyse