How Medieval Monks Used Decadent Custard Tarts to Bypass Strict Dietary Rules
In short: Max Miller explores the history of medieval monastic diets and the indulgent desserts that challenged them. This video features a 15th-century recipe for Doucetes, a rich custard tart that highlights the tension between ascetic living and the culinary luxuries enjoyed by some religious orders.
The recipe for Doucetes originates from the 15th-century Harleian Manuscript 279. This dessert consists of a delicate pastry crust filled with a mixture of cream, egg yolks, milk, and sugar or honey, all tinted with saffron. The preparation requires blind-baking the crust before pouring in the custard, which is then baked until it rises.
While monks were often associated with strict fasting or simple fare, the existence of such elaborate recipes suggests a more complex reality regarding monastic consumption. By examining these historical instructions, we gain insight into the culinary practices that persisted despite the ascetic ideals of the time.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Skinny Monk vs Fat Monk: Medieval Rule Breakers
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