Ramadan is coming to a close and we thought we’d share a wonderful dessert recipe that is a favorite. It is a perfect way to end an iftar or evening meal that breaks the fast that the faithful observe each day during the Islamic holy month. The recipe below for Halawet El-Riz conjures up a rice, cheese and cream dish that is interesting not only in its delectable fusion of ingredients, but as is so with many recipes, because it is the culinary result of human endeavor through the centuries. Continue reading
Category Archives: Bon Appetit Wednesday
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Halawet El-Riz: A Ramadan Dessert for the Ages
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged ancient architecture, ancient recipes, AntiquitNOW, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Breaking fast, Egypt, India, Middle East, Ramadan, rice pudding
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Celebrate Germany’s World Cup Win with Ancient Sauerkraut
In honor of Germany’s World Cup win last Sunday, we’re featuring a truly German food: sauerkraut! The recipe this week is Never Enough Pork Beer-Braised Sauerkraut and it is perfect for a hearty, German feast. You might be surprised to find however, that sauerkraut did not originate in Germany or anywhere in Europe. Its roots grow out of the East. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Bacon Pemmican: A Modern Twist on Ancient Native American Jerky
Preparing pemmican.
Summer road trips are a family tradition this time of year. But along with the fun comes mile after mile and hour after hour in close quarters. Even experienced travelers can become quite frazzled. That’s why it’s important to pack lots of food and snacks to keep everyone happy. One of the best traveling foods is jerky. Yes, you heard that right. Full of flavor and nutrition, jerky is easy to pack and won’t spoil in those hot summer temperatures. This year, why not make your own delicious jerky as the Native Americans have done for thousands of years. Pemmican, a dried meat recipe that also sustained the Canadian fur traders in North America, is all natural and has ancient roots, but this recipe gives it a whole new twist by using bacon instead of beef or buffalo. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday: Eat Like the Ancients With Rice, Barley and Gingered Adzuki
Adzuki bean. Image courtesy of ninjagecko on Flickr.com.
Healthy eating is becoming more and more popular in today’s society as we discover that the processed foods we’ve been ingesting for so long can actually be harmful. One of the easiest ways to find healthy, nutrition-packed foods is to look into the past and eat like the ancients. Many ancient ingredients have recently entered the spotlight because of their recognized health benefits. The adzuki bean is one such food. Today’s recipe is a wonderful vegetarian meal of Rice and Barley with Gingered Adzuki. Used as a main dish or simply as a complement to the main course, this recipe is packed with nutrition and flavor. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Chocolate and Wattleseed Self-Saucing Pudding
Emu, crocodile, eels and kangaroo! If you’re not from Australia you might think this is a list of animals to see at the zoo rather than an ingredient list. For thousands of years, the native Aborigines of Australia have used the foods provided by the land around them. In the past several years modern Australians have looked to this past and discovered a rich culinary history. One of these delicious native foods is the wattleseed from the acacia tree. Today we’re bringing you a unique and indulgent dessert called Chocolate and Wattleseed Self-Saucing Pudding. And don’t worry if you can’t find wattleseeds at your local grocery store. They can easily be ordered online. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged Aborigines, acacia, ancient cuisine, ancient history, ancient recipes, AntiquityNOW, Australia, Bon Appetit Wednesday, wattleseed
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Celebrate the World Cup With Tasty Vatapá
In honor of the World Cup currently being held in Brazil, we’re bringing you a traditional Brazilian dish as unique as the people that fill this vibrant country. The dish, called vatapá, is from the Bahia state in Brazil, a region on the Atlantic coast where the first European landed in 1500 and claimed Brazil for Portugal. It is a land rich in culture and history and its people are proud not only of their Brazilian nationality, but specifically of their Bahian heritage. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture, Public Life, Sports
Tagged ancient history, ancient recipes, AntiquityNOW, Bahia, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Brazil, Brazilian cuisine, Vatapa, World Cup, Yoruba
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Cheesy Polenta and Egg Casserole
Many of our modern foods derive from ancient dishes that were created out of the necessity for easily made, easily stored staples and readily available ingredients. Polenta is one such dish. Today we’re bringing you a modern version showing the versatility of this ingredient with a delightful Cheesy Polenta and Egg Casserole. Before we dig in, though, let’s find out how modern polenta made its way onto our plates. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged ancient history, ancient recipes, Ancient Rome, AntiquityNOW, Bon Appetit Wednesday, cornmeal, polenta, pulse pottage
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Grilled Butter Miso Corn
This week we’re bringing you an ancient flavor of Japan, miso, paired with a staple of summer barbecues, corn on the cob. The salty miso perfectly complements the sweet corn, creating a unique pairing full of flavor and history. Before we start grilling, let’s take a minute to explore the roots of miso, a food that has sustained the Japanese for centuries.
In most cultures around the world today, miso is thought of as a seasoning. The fermented soybean paste has an extreme saltiness, and so most people use only a small amount to flavor their food. However, the Japanese see miso as much more than just a condiment. “It is a basic staple, a concentrated source of protein and other nutrients important enough to be thought of as a full-fledged food.”[1] Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged ancient history, ancient recipes, AntiquityNOW, Bon Appetit Wednesday, china, grilled corn, Japan, jiang, miso, soybean
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Ancient Mesopotamian Palace Cakes From Ur
Today’s recipe is fit for royalty! This cake was served in the palaces of the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur and uses one of the most important food staples in ancient Mesopotamia—the date. Ur was located in what is now Iraq and was an important city on the Persian Gulf. It was inhabited from 3800 BCE to 450 BCE. Due to its position on the gulf, Ur became an enormous and hugely influential city trading with countries as far away as India. Its citizens were wealthy and lived unusually comfortable lives compared with those in other Mesopotamian cities.[1] Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged ancient history, ancient recipes, AntiquityNOW, Bon Appetit Wednesday, date palm, Mesopotamia, palace cakes, Ur
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Kheer: Ancient Indian Rice Pudding
This week we’re bringing you a sweet, exotic treat from India. Kheer is a rice pudding made in several variations across South Asia and of course, it has a history! Also called payasam, this ancient dessert comes from the Hindi culture and is most often seen at ceremonies, feasts and celebrations, although it can easily be enjoyed any time of year. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture, Public Life, Religion
Tagged ancient history, ancient recipes, AntiquityNOW, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Hindu, kheer, Lord Krishna, payasam, rice pudding
AntiquityNOW 