Today, upon arriving home, I discovered a nondescript manila envelope from a retailer that I was not familiar with. With no indication on the package that it was part of the book exchange, I rapidly ripped it open, eager to discover what lurked inside. Lo and behold, it was indeed my book! As I peeled back the packaging materials, I was shocked and pleased at what I found.

For some reason, even though I indicated that I enjoy cooking, it never occurred to me that I might get a cookbook. What WAS I thinking?

The Medieval Cookbook, by Maggie Black, is more than a cookbook, though. It is an illustrated gastronomic journey through time, back to the days of Camelot, King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table. The book starts with a introduction where the author discusses types of ingredients available, how things were prepared and dining etiquette of the time. Each section is a series of recipes inspired by an event, piece of literature, or social occasion. Interspersed are classical images depicting dining scenes from the middle ages. The recipes range from a simple porridge to a Roast Salmon in a Wine Sauce. Each recipe is written in both the Old English style as well as translated to a modern version.

This looks like a great introduction to historical cooking, and I am looking forward to trying some of these recipes! Many thanks for a thoughtful gift to my Book Santa!