Two years ago we published our first official Bon Appetit Wednesday post. Since then we’ve brought you 125 recipes with a past: 125 dishes with ancient stories to tell, and 125 ancient treats for your taste buds. And we’ve loved all that we’ve learned along the way. Isn’t uncovering the culinary secrets of ancient history deliciously amazing? Continue reading
Category Archives: Bon Appetit Wednesday
Happy Two-Year Anniversary Bon Appetit Wednesday! Celebrate Our Most Popular Ancient Recipe
Bon Appetit Wednesday! National Sundae Day
I scream! You scream! We all scream for ice cream! It’s National Sundae Day and you know what that means… cool, creamy, delicious sundaes served with a topping of ancient history. Did you know that Hot Fudge Sundaes have ancient origins? Check out our blog post, Hot Fudge Sundae: A Dessert 5,000 Years in the Making, to learn more about this yummy combination of past and present. And don’t miss our version written just for kids here. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)
Chewy and crispy, sweet and savory, this ancient Chinese treat has it all. Today we’re bringing you a recipe sure to delight even the pickiest of palates. Sesame balls, Jian Dui, date back to the Tang Dynasty (7th century CE) in China. These round pastries were a popular palace food in Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty.[1] Not surprisingly, as people migrated across China, they brought Sesame Balls with them and the recipe persisted from century to century. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Ancient Amaranth Leaves
Today we’re bringing you another ancient African super vegetable, amaranth leaves. You may be thinking, “Didn’t they already do a Bon Appetit Wednesday article about amaranth?” The answer is “Yes!” Bon Appetit Wednesday! Popping Up Some Ancient Amaranth was about the ancient use of the amaranth grain in the Americas. The amazing thing about amaranth is that it was used in a completely different way in ancient Africa. It was and continues to be a very popular green vegetable, called a potherb. The leaves are boiled, sometimes with other green leafy veggies, and provide numerous vitamins and minerals. As is the case with many ancient food staples, amaranth grows quickly and easily in many habitats so it was perfect for those needing an inexpensive and healthy meal.[1] In fact, the word “amaranth” actually comes from the ancient Greek word meaning “life everlasting.”[2] Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! African Nightshade
“Eat your greens and you’ll grow big and strong!” Since childhood we’ve been taught the importance of eating leafy green veggies, but that never seemed to persuade our minds or palates. But times have changed, and as a surprise to our younger selves, it seems that greens are getting more and more popular. No longer do we run from kale, or hide our collards under the napkin. Today, greens are all the rage. In fact in Africa, restaurants are increasingly turning to ancient, indigenous species to invigorate their menus and bring back a taste of the past. One of the most popular veggies making a comeback is the African Nightshade. Today, we’re bringing you a recipe for Cream of Nightshade Spinach. Spoiler Alert: There’s no spinach involved. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! National Dessert Day
October is a month packed with celebrations of culinary delights. Last week we sampled the ancient and delicious history of seafood and today we’re honoring our sweet tooth. Humanity has always loved to indulge in something deliciously decadent. From Cleopatra’s favorite Tiger Nut Sweets to the Mesopotamian Palace Cakes of Ur, there are so many wondrous ways to enjoy dessert spiced with a bit of antiquity. Below you’ll find the recipe for Tiger Nut Sweets, also called Dulcis Coccora, along with a list of some of our favorite Bon Appetit Wednesday dessert recipes. Happy National Dessert Day! Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! National Seafood Month
Ancient mosaic in an Egyptian burial tomb, circa 1400 BCE.
It’s National Seafood Month in the U.S., and when it comes to ancient eats, you can’t get more ancient than seafood. The bounty of the oceans has sustained mankind since prehistoric times. In fact, analysis of the lower mandible of a 40,000-year-old human skeleton, found in the Tianyuan Cave near Beijing, found the man ate fish regularly.[1] We also have ample archaeological evidence from the Paleolithic period including shell middens, discarded fish bones and even petroglyphs and cave paintings that prove humans have been enjoying seafood since before recorded history began.
So today we’re bringing you some Bon Appetit Wednesday recipes that will help you to celebrate National Seafood Month in ancient style. Each recipe is accompanied by a bit of history of the dish and its ingredients. Cook up a seafood feast for your family and friends and then dazzle them with your knowledge of the ancient past!
- Chilled Stone Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce
- Double K Grilled Salmon
- Vatapa de Peixe e Camarao (Fish and Shrimp Stew)
- Grandma Joyce’s Fishcakes
- Sabzi Polo Mahi
- Salmon Kiliwan (Filipino Ceviche)
- Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Italian Fish Sauce
[1] First direct evidence of substantial fish consumption by early modern humans in China. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015.
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Celebrate National Coffee Day
Yesterday was National Coffee Day in the United States, but we’re hardly the originators of good coffee. So we’re bringing you a recipe for the perfect ancient Turkish coffee, a drink that is not only delicious and full of energy, but according to recent studies, is also a healthy addition to your day. Greek researchers have discovered that “consumption of a boiled type of coffee is associated with improved endothelial function,” or cardiovascular health.[1] Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Apples for the Autumnal Equinox
Today is the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere. The days are getting shorter, the temperature is beginning to drop and we’re all preparing for snuggling up in sweaters and long nights by the fire. Many ancient cultures around the world celebrated the autumnal equinox and several of these traditions have been passed down through the ages. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged ancient apples, ancient food, ancient recipes, AntiquityNOW, apple pie, autumnal equinox, Bon Appetit Wednesday, fall equinox, Mabon, Samhain
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Kids Take Over the Ancient Kitchen
Sunday was National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, but don’t worry, it’s not too late to celebrate. What better way to recognize the day than to cook up some recipes with a past? We’re bringing you an array of tasty dishes that are perfect for your kiddos to test their skills in the kitchen. But first, click here to take a walk through an ancient Roman kitchen, and then get ready to cook and enjoy a meal just like the ancients. Below, you’ll find a recipe for every course, each from a different part of the ancient world. Continue reading
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