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
Tag Archives: ancient recipes
Bon Appetit Wednesday! National Dessert Day
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! The Incredible Edible Egg (in Pine Nut Sauce à la Ancient Rome)
The Romans had a saying, “ab ovo usque ad malum,” which translates “from eggs to apples” and is closely related to our modern saying, “from soup to nuts.” Basically, it means “from beginning to end.” One thing is certain—the Romans knew their way around an egg. Today, we’re bringing you an ancient Roman egg recipe that is the perfect beginning to any meal or any day. Eggs in Pine Nut Sauce can be used as an appetizer or served for breakfast if you’re craving something different from the typical eggs and bacon. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob
Nutritious, abundant and perfect for use in a multitude of dishes, corn has been a staple in the diets of Native North American and Mesoamerican diets for thousands of years. Today, in honor of a recent archaeological find in South Dakota (US) of 1,000 year old kernels and cobs, we’re bringing you a recipe for delicious corn on the cob that highlights its golden perfection. First, some history. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Recipes for Winter in the Southern Hemisphere
In the southern hemisphere, the cold days of winter are slowly giving way to warmer weather. Soon sweaters and scarves will be replaced by bathing suits and sunglasses, but for now, let’s indulge in a few cozy, warming culinary treats. Gather your friends and family, curl up by a warm fire and enjoy these ancient recipes. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Recipes for Summer in the Northern Hemisphere
In the northern hemisphere, summer is quickly coming to an end and we’re all clinging to these last lazy days. Soon all the picnics and barbecues and summer repasts will be just memories. But let’s dally, culinary wise. Here’s a list of ancient recipes for the modern palate that will help you celebrate the warmth and sunshine just a little bit longer. Continue reading
Summer Reading Recap: Rome
Summer is winding down and kids are heading back to school. There are supplies to organize, bags to pack and school clothes to buy. But you also want to make sure they are ready to reboot from a long summer. We at AntiquityNOW are here to help. For the next two weeks we’re highlighting select cultures with a list of blog posts and links to help your child brush up on the ancient past and its enduring legacy today. Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged ancient history, ancient recipes, Ancient Rome, AntiquityNOW, back to school, history, Roman Empire, Roman history, Rome, social studies, summer reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Celebrate AntiquityNOW’s Third Anniversary With Recipes From Mexico’s Ancient Past (And Discover the Tale of the Talking Enchiladas)
Three years ago this summer on a sweltering Saturday afternoon, an idea was born. Maybe it was the deliciously stuffed enchiladas, the tangy coolness of the marguerites or the festive Old World charm of the Burrito Loco restaurant in New York’s West Village that got our thoughts dancing. In the midst of our repast, one of our group of antiquarian devotees suggested we start an organization. Now, we are a motley crew of various perspectives and copious talents. How should we harness that creative energy to make a unique contribution? Suddenly, as if by divine Maya intervention, our enchiladas seemed to speak to us. Why not an organization that looks at the contemporary world against its ancient roots? So it’s not just an enchilada colorfully presented on the table. It is the collective history of corn, of the ancient pancake, of every ingredient that bulges inside this history-laden dish. That enchilada lying innocently under a mole sauce (chocolate-based, gift of the Maya gods) was a concoction redolent of humankind’s thousands of years of evolution from nuts and berries to salsa and nachos. In this moment of culinary transfixion, AntiquityNOW was born. Continue reading
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