10 Medieval Recipes from Bartolomeo Sacchi to Nourish Your Body and Delight Your Modern Palate 🌿🍷✨

Bartolomeo Sacchi, also known as Platina, wrote De Honesta Voluptate et Valetudine (On Honest Pleasure and Good Health) in the 15th century. This early cookbook emphasized the balance of flavor and health, blending culinary pleasure with remedies for common conditions of the time. Below are 10 recipes from Platina’s work, selected for their historical intrigue, potential health benefits, and adaptability to modern kitchens.

1. Chickpea Soup (For Energy and Digestion)

Chickpeas, rich in nutrients, were praised for sustaining energy and aiding digestion.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups dried chickpeas (or 1 can, drained)

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary

  • 4 cups vegetable broth

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight and boil until tender. If using canned, rinse and drain.

  2. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté onion, garlic, and rosemary until fragrant.

  3. Add chickpeas and vegetable broth, simmering for 20 minutes.

  4. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Why it helps: Chickpeas are nourishing and filling, promoting sustained energy and balanced digestion.

2. Barley Risotto with Parsley (For Cooling and Detoxifying)

Barley was considered cooling and detoxifying, perfect for cleansing the system.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pearl barley

  • 3 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot, sauté onion until translucent.

  2. Add barley and stir for 2 minutes.

  3. Gradually add vegetable broth, stirring frequently, until barley is tender (about 25 minutes).

  4. Stir in parsley, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Why it helps: Barley aids digestion and has cooling properties, making it ideal for calming inflammation.

3. Herb Salad (For Mood and Digestion)

Fresh herbs were valued for their ability to uplift the spirit and improve digestion.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mixed fresh herbs (parsley, mint, basil, dill)

  • 2 cups arugula or spinach

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Wash and dry the herbs and greens.

  2. Toss with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

Why it helps: The herbs provide lightness and a mental boost, while arugula aids in liver detoxification.

4. Almond Milk Porridge (For Weakness and Recovery)

Almond milk was a staple in medieval cooking, praised for its gentle, restorative qualities.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup ground almonds (or almond flour)

  • 2 cups almond milk

  • 1/4 cup rice flour or ground rice

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Heat almond milk in a saucepan over medium heat.

  2. Slowly whisk in rice flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

  3. Stir in ground almonds, honey, and cinnamon, cooking until thickened (5-7 minutes).

  4. Serve warm.

Why it helps: Almond milk is nourishing and easily digestible, perfect for rebuilding strength after illness.

5. Stuffed Figs with Spices (For Warming and Digestion)

Figs were seen as a digestive aid and were often paired with warming spices.

Ingredients:

  • 12 dried figs

  • 1/4 cup almonds, finely chopped

  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

  • 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

  1. Slice the figs and stuff with chopped almonds.

  2. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon and cloves.

  3. Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Why it helps: Figs promote healthy digestion, and the spices add warmth to the body, aiding circulation.

6. Saffron Rice with Almonds (For Energy and Immune Support)

Saffron, prized for its medicinal properties, was believed to uplift the spirit and enhance immunity.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white rice

  • 2 cups vegetable broth

  • A pinch of saffron threads

  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot, add rice, and sauté for 2 minutes.

  2. Dissolve saffron threads in warm broth and add to the rice.

  3. Cover and simmer until rice is tender (15-20 minutes).

  4. Stir in almonds and serve.

Why it helps: Saffron enhances mood and immunity, while almonds provide energy and nutrients.

7. Spelt Bread with Honey (For Strengthening and Nourishment)

Spelt was a staple grain in medieval diets, prized for its health benefits.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups spelt flour

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water

  • 1 tsp active dry yeast

Instructions:

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water with honey. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

  2. Mix spelt flour and salt in a bowl, then add the yeast mixture.

  3. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes and let it rise for 1 hour.

  4. Shape into a loaf and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes.

Why it helps: Spelt strengthens digestion and provides lasting energy.

8. Poached Pears in Wine (For Cooling and Relaxation)

Pears were used to cool the body and aid relaxation, while wine added warmth and flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 4 firm pears, peeled and halved

  • 2 cups red wine

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 2-3 whole cloves

Instructions:

  1. Combine wine, honey, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.

  2. Add pears and poach gently for 20-25 minutes until tender.

  3. Serve warm with a drizzle of the spiced wine syrup.

Why it helps: Pears soothe the lungs and calm emotions, while wine enhances circulation.

9. Herb and Cheese Tart (For Strengthening Digestion)

This savory tart combines fresh herbs with cheese, both of which were seen as nourishing for digestion.

Ingredients:

  • 1 spelt pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

  • 2 eggs

  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

  • 1/4 cup mixed fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, chives)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Beat eggs, ricotta, Parmesan, and herbs together in a bowl.

  3. Pour the mixture into the spelt crust and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Why it helps: The herbs aid digestion, and the cheese provides nutrients to strengthen the body.

10. Rosewater Almond Tart (For Uplifting the Spirit)

Rosewater was valued for its calming and uplifting properties.

Ingredients:

  • 1 spelt tart crust

  • 1 cup almond flour

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tbsp rosewater

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Mix almond flour, sugar, eggs, and rosewater in a bowl.

  3. Pour the mixture into the tart crust and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Why it helps: Rosewater soothes the mind and emotions, while almonds nourish the body.

Conclusion

These 10 recipes from Bartolomeo Sacchi’s De Honesta Voluptate et Valetudine blend the wisdom of medieval cooking with the practicality of modern kitchens. Each dish offers a unique opportunity to explore historical flavors while addressing health concerns in a delicious way. Whether you're looking to energize, detoxify, or simply savor the tastes of the past, these recipes invite you to reconnect with the nourishing traditions of centuries ago. 🌿✨

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