The Royal History of Brie: A Delicious Tart from the Medieval Era
Clifton Fadiman once described cheese as "milk's leap to immortality," a notion that resonates with the rich history of one cheese in particular: brie. Renowned through the centuries, brie was even served at the table of King Richard II in the 14th century. Today, we embark on a culinary journey to create a historical dish known as Tart de Brie, transforming this royal delicacy into a creamy masterpiece.
A Glimpse into History
The recipe for Tart de Brie originates from the medieval culinary collection known as The Forme of Cury, a treasure trove of historic dishes. Indeed, the allure of exploring this ancient text is so strong that a complete episode dedicated to its history may soon follow.
Before diving into the cooking process, let’s gather the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you will need a tart or pie crust, which can be made using a medieval crust recipe available online. However, for those wishing to remain true to the medieval style, be cautious not to add any vanilla, despite its tempting flavor.
The key ingredients for our tart include:
1 pound of brie cheese
6 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon of saffron or about ten threads, ground up
3/4 teaspoon of light brown sugar (to taste)
3/8 teaspoon powdered ginger
A pinch of salt
An optional hint of nutmeg or cinnamon can enhance the flavor, providing a beautiful color to the finished dish.
The journey begins with preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C) and preparing the crust. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick, line your tart or pie pan, and blind bake it for around 10 minutes with pie weights. If the crust appears raw, return it to the oven for an additional five minutes. Once done, lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and allow the crust to cool.
While the crust is cooling, the brie cheese must be prepared. It's essential to remove the rind (though save a bit for later), and then the cheese should be cut into small pieces to mix smoothly with the other ingredients. A blender is recommended for this task, as it efficiently combines the cheese with lightly beaten egg yolks, saffron, sugar, ginger, and salt.
Before pouring the cheese mixture into the crust, sprinkle the reserved rind on the base. This little addition elevates the flavor profile of the tart, ensuring that the delicate brie shines through.
Baking and Enjoying
After spreading the cheese mixture into the crust, cover the edges to prevent burning and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until set and lightly browned. During this time, we traverse back to the history of brie and its royal admirers.
The Kings’ Love Affair with Brie
Brie has captivated the French royal family throughout history. One notable account involves Emperor Charlemagne, who was initially underwhelmed by the cheese until the abbot of a priory convinced him of the rind's hidden flavors. This revelation sparked an affinity for brie among French royalty.
Fast forward to King Louis XV, who famously made a hasty retreat during the French Revolution. Ironically, this endeavor was interrupted by a desire for brie while stopping at an inn. This curious detour ultimately led to his family's arrest and subsequent return to Paris.
Remarkably, on the day of his execution in 1793, King Louis requested a final taste of Brie de Meaux, encapsulating the enduring connection of royalty and this creamy delight.
A Culinary Conclusion
After the tart has baked and cooled slightly, it's time for tasting. This culinary creation boasts a rich, dense texture with subtle hints of spices—an exquisite balance that showcases the star ingredient: brie. For an added flourish, a dollop of fig paste complements the tart beautifully.
As we savor this dish, we celebrate not just its taste but the rich history that has made brie a beloved cheese for both the wealthy and the common folk alike. It’s a testament to its enduring legacy—no longer merely the cheese of kings but now crowned the king of cheeses.
For those interested in trying this recipe, links to all ingredients and the original medieval recipe can be found in the description, alongside a modernized version of today’s creation. As we say goodbye, don’t forget to subscribe for more historical culinary adventures to come!
Part 1/6:
The Royal History of Brie: A Delicious Tart from the Medieval Era
Clifton Fadiman once described cheese as "milk's leap to immortality," a notion that resonates with the rich history of one cheese in particular: brie. Renowned through the centuries, brie was even served at the table of King Richard II in the 14th century. Today, we embark on a culinary journey to create a historical dish known as Tart de Brie, transforming this royal delicacy into a creamy masterpiece.
A Glimpse into History
The recipe for Tart de Brie originates from the medieval culinary collection known as The Forme of Cury, a treasure trove of historic dishes. Indeed, the allure of exploring this ancient text is so strong that a complete episode dedicated to its history may soon follow.
Part 2/6:
Before diving into the cooking process, let’s gather the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you will need a tart or pie crust, which can be made using a medieval crust recipe available online. However, for those wishing to remain true to the medieval style, be cautious not to add any vanilla, despite its tempting flavor.
The key ingredients for our tart include:
1 pound of brie cheese
6 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon of saffron or about ten threads, ground up
3/4 teaspoon of light brown sugar (to taste)
3/8 teaspoon powdered ginger
A pinch of salt
An optional hint of nutmeg or cinnamon can enhance the flavor, providing a beautiful color to the finished dish.
Crafting the Tart
Part 3/6:
The journey begins with preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C) and preparing the crust. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick, line your tart or pie pan, and blind bake it for around 10 minutes with pie weights. If the crust appears raw, return it to the oven for an additional five minutes. Once done, lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and allow the crust to cool.
While the crust is cooling, the brie cheese must be prepared. It's essential to remove the rind (though save a bit for later), and then the cheese should be cut into small pieces to mix smoothly with the other ingredients. A blender is recommended for this task, as it efficiently combines the cheese with lightly beaten egg yolks, saffron, sugar, ginger, and salt.
Part 4/6:
Before pouring the cheese mixture into the crust, sprinkle the reserved rind on the base. This little addition elevates the flavor profile of the tart, ensuring that the delicate brie shines through.
Baking and Enjoying
After spreading the cheese mixture into the crust, cover the edges to prevent burning and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until set and lightly browned. During this time, we traverse back to the history of brie and its royal admirers.
The Kings’ Love Affair with Brie
Brie has captivated the French royal family throughout history. One notable account involves Emperor Charlemagne, who was initially underwhelmed by the cheese until the abbot of a priory convinced him of the rind's hidden flavors. This revelation sparked an affinity for brie among French royalty.
Part 5/6:
Fast forward to King Louis XV, who famously made a hasty retreat during the French Revolution. Ironically, this endeavor was interrupted by a desire for brie while stopping at an inn. This curious detour ultimately led to his family's arrest and subsequent return to Paris.
Remarkably, on the day of his execution in 1793, King Louis requested a final taste of Brie de Meaux, encapsulating the enduring connection of royalty and this creamy delight.
A Culinary Conclusion
After the tart has baked and cooled slightly, it's time for tasting. This culinary creation boasts a rich, dense texture with subtle hints of spices—an exquisite balance that showcases the star ingredient: brie. For an added flourish, a dollop of fig paste complements the tart beautifully.
Part 6/6:
As we savor this dish, we celebrate not just its taste but the rich history that has made brie a beloved cheese for both the wealthy and the common folk alike. It’s a testament to its enduring legacy—no longer merely the cheese of kings but now crowned the king of cheeses.
For those interested in trying this recipe, links to all ingredients and the original medieval recipe can be found in the description, alongside a modernized version of today’s creation. As we say goodbye, don’t forget to subscribe for more historical culinary adventures to come!