#635 A Haunting Style

 Fun Fact #635

A Haunting style

Halloween is a time of year for Spooks and spectacle, but just where does the gaudy style of food preparation often associated with this time of year come from? Turns out the late 1300s during The Middle ages. 

It all has to do with one of the earliest recipe books called “Le Viander” which has 143 recipes which has since formed the basis for the modern French when it comes to food. However the largest part the book played was the first recorded instance of “Haute Cuisine” which is the French style of preparation for food specifically meant to entertain and delight. The book offered different ways to prepare food based on what was available allowing both the upper class and lower class to form their own style of “Haute”

Over the years and thanks to countless wars, treaties and marriage between the Nobility of Countries, The Upperclass style of Haute became a symbol of dutchies across all of Europe by the 1800s. Which is why it became a form of shorthand for writers of that era (such as Mary Shelly) to symbolize power. Bram Stroker was famously influenced by it writing Dracula (1897) where food plays a notable influence on the plot, helping the main characters piece together what’s happening around them. Something to keep an eye out for if you reread Dracula anytime soon. 

Meanwhile if you are looking for some cool dishes for a Halloween party, The Vatican’s Library “Biblioteca Vaticana”  has published their copy of “Le Viander” online and transcribed the recipes for use. They even did the leg work to update many of the ingredients to items you can find in stores today. As always thanks for reading and please have a wonderful day.