Archive for November, 2010

If you are someone who attends Renaissance Faires or LARP events in the colder months, then we commend your ability to endure the elements.  The Queen would rather remain warm insider her chambers with a roaring fire.

But we are aware that people need to travel or be outside during the winter months.  That is why we wanted to remind you that some of the merchants in our humble village do carry Medieval cloaks that you can use to alleviate the chill of winter.  They can also keep you dry on those days where snow is falling.  These wool or fur cloaks are  comfortable as well as warm.  They can be an invaluable asset to anyone who needs to be outside for long periods of time during the cold and dark winter months.

The seamstresses in our kingdom implore you to stop by their shoppes so that you may see all of the fine artistry that they are able to weave.  Have a warm, dry, and safe winter.

As we embark upon the week where we give “thanks,” we thought that we could provide you with a recipe that you can use to supplement your meal.  Although Thanksgiving is a relatively young holiday, it does not mean that we can not include dishes from an older time.  A combination of new and old can enhance any meal.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today’s recipe is an old Italian dish that was originally found on a poem written by Petrarch.  Italy was the birth place of the Renaissance.  This dish can be used as a side dish for your feast.

Sun-dried Tomato and Olive Polenta

Ingredients:

~ 1 cup instant polenta

~ 4 cups vegetable broth

~ 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

~ 2/3 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

~ 2/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomato

~ 1/3 cup sliced kalamata olive

~ ½ cup sliced fresh basil

~ ¼ cup olive oil

~ ½ cup flour

1. Boil the vegetable broth; once boiling, stir in the polenta.  Let mixture simmer on low heat while stirring frequently for 15 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan, feta, tomatoes, basil, and olives.
3. Once you’ve stirred in the ingredients for step 2, put the mixture in a greased cake pan and spread the mixture evenly.  Press down if necessary.
4. Let the mixture firm up in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.
5. Once firm, cut the mixture into slices (about 16 slices total) and coat them in flour, taking care to shake off the excess.
6. Fry the floured polenta in olive oil until nicely browned, then drain on paper towel.

Enjoy!  If you are running with a Renaissance theme for your Thanksgiving meal, do not forget to have your servers bring forth the food in their wench outfits.  Have a nice holiday!

Now that we are well into Autumn and on the verge of Winter, we know that it is going to be cold outside.  As you travel from merchant shop to merchant shop in the Peddler’s Village, you want to make sure you stay nice and warm.  You could of course bundle up in many layers as you complete your holiday shopping, but what about staying toasty with a nice warm drink?  Below you’ll find an excellent warm spiced cider recipe that can be served at any tavern.  You can even wear a serving wench costume while passing out this tasty drink to your customers.

Warm Spiced Cider:

Ingredients:

½ gallon apple cider

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground cloves

1 naval or Valencia orange, halved and sliced

Cinnamon sticks for garnish

1. Pour apple cider into a 2-quart slow cooker crock
2. Stir in cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.  Float orange slices on top
3. Turn slow cooker to high until cider becomes steaming hot
4. Let Simmer for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to “low” or “keep warm”
5. Serve in mugs, garnished by a cinnamon stick

Her Royal Highness, recently held a picture contest for all of her loyal subjects, in which they would submit a picture of themselves in Renaissance costuming from PearsonsRenaissanceShoppe.com. There were several entries, which caused the Queen and her Royal Advisers to engage in a heavy debate to announce who the winners of the competition would be. After much deliberation, Her Majesty is ready to proclaim the winners to all in the kingdom:

Lord Tony Piazza as Captain Morgan, Honorable Mention

Lady Jessica Knutson, Runner Up

Lady Michal Johnson, Runner Up

Lady Penelope Clark, Medieval Wedding, Winner of Royal Prize

Congratulations are in order for the winners and much thanks to all those who participated.

Let the jubilation commence! God Save the Queen!