The authors of this feature web-site have researched their subject well and come up with an impressive collection of recipes from the 10th-15th centuries, including some Andalusian dishes. They explain how to substitute modern ingredients for ancient ones and also take care to avoid ingredients which may cause allergies.
You may visit the site here.
The Menu:
The menu consists of several interesting dishes, including the following:
Badinjan Muhassa :
An eggplant dip which combines the unique flavors of eggplant, walnuts and onions
Tabâhajah:
Marinated meat cooked in oil and topped with fresh greens and herbs
Cooked Dish of Lentils :
Lentils, onions and spices garnished with cooked eggs
Andalusian Chicken :
Spicy chicken from 13th century Moorish Spain
Hais :
Date-balls popular with travelers, perhaps as energy snacks
Khushkananaj :
Pastry filled with almonds, sugar and rosewater
Hulwa:
A variety of 15th century candies
Makshufa:
Another type of candy which uses nuts as a base
Syrup of Lemon:
Served hot or cold, the authors describe this drink as a 13th century lemonade with medicinal properties
Whether you try these dishes or not, this site contains a wealth of information on medieval cooking and is fun to browse. Without a doubt, understanding a culture's eating habits lends an extra layer of insight into understanding the people of that culture as well and this is what makes me interested in trying some of these recipes myself. Until next time, take care and Enjoy!
Arabic-Islamic Recipes