How medieval peasants turned humble fava beans into a refined, creamy dish.
In short: This video explores the culinary reality of the 14th century by recreating a peasant dish from The Forme of Cury. It demonstrates how simple ingredients like beans, onions, and wine were transformed into a meal that was both accessible and surprisingly sophisticated.
The recipe, sourced from the 14th-century text The Forme of Cury, highlights the resourcefulness of medieval cooking. By boiling fava beans until soft and grinding them into a smooth, milk-white paste, peasants created a base that could be enriched with red wine or ale. The dish is finished with onions fried in oil or butter until golden brown, providing a savory contrast to the creamy bean mixture.
This preparation method shows that medieval diets were not merely about survival but involved specific techniques to improve texture and flavor. The use of basic pantry staples—beans, onions, and fermented liquids—reflects the practical, ingredient-focused nature of historical peasant cuisine.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What Did Medieval Peasants Eat?
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