16th Century Snax

[helblonde]

So, to cap off my fun, I've agreed to cater lifeofglamour's Laureling vigil (hooray!) at Beltane. She has requested a 16th century spread and I need help.

I would love some recipe suggestions. If you would like to make something, I will gladly accept help and give bounteous appreciation. Also, if you all have a feel for how much food and drink to provide for a 4-6 hour Friday night spread, I'd love to talk numbers.

I'm hoping to set out a beautiful table and would love to borrow plates and bowls if any of you are willing to share.

If emailing me is easier, it's johannaludwiga@earthlink.net.

Many thanks!

Comments

[lifeofglamour.livejournal.com]

Yay!!
We have some plates and bowls to contribute, too.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

The Chateau Rose will have at least the dayshade set up w/tables & cloths, chairs/benches. I have scads of metal trays & pitchers I can bring, & if lifeofglamour wants, I can supply pink drinks.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

Yay!! I can do an in depth brain dump with you if you'd like, but here's the cliff notes. Ppl eat less than you'd hope. Most of them have already had dinner, and will just nibble. Finger foods rule. I'll check my cookbooks for anything interesting. Any particular country/area? You can borrow my Italian stuff if you'd like.
Water, cyser, beer, wine, hypocras for drinks. If its cold ill see if I can find a hot drink recipe

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

Yes and no. It was evolving into syllabubs and punches by now. It's a possibility if Johanna wants a version.

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

I love shellbread, they are like modern madelines. Here's a recipe: http://www.godecookery.com/engrec/engrec159.html There's a good redaction in Lowin's _Dining with William Shakespear_.

If you are willing to buy rather than make things, I recommend Trader Joe's cinnamon coated almonds, the wafers in the yellow boxes, and the little square fruit jellies. Put these with some bright colored fruit and you are 1/2 way to a Tudor Banquette. If you have some tiny cookie cutters, you can also cut fruit leather in shapes, which has a lot of visual appeal.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

other late period sources - Scappi (for Italian), Digby - home of the savory toasted cheese, which would be great - you could borrow my little butane stove for this, or use a candle powered fondue pot. Crystal already mentioned Dawson, Markham. And then there's the French. :)

Er, being that it's Laina...

[dakini-bones.livejournal.com]

Maybe more fruit and veg things? Can that be period?
I don't know, I'm just thinking diet-y, ya know?

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

hey, you'll need lots of lighting. you can use battery tealights or regular tealights with these. and if you don't want to buy, I think the pattern would be pretty simple to make some.