copyright 2009, Maria Liberati, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking
Editor:Kate Hollinger
French cuisine would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the influence of Italy, first and foremost through the culinary icon Catherine de Medici. Catherine, a Florentine who married into French nobility at the age of 14, had a profound influence on the Renaissance in 16th century France, specifically on French haute cuisine and entertaining. This plump young lady, who was later nicknamed “The Italian Grocer”, moved to Paris to wed King Henry of France, and while she shared no influence during his lifetime, the era following his death in 1574 was named “The Age of Catherine de’ Medici” because of her political influence during her 3 sons reigns and perhaps also due to her contributions to French Gastronomy.
When Catherine moved to France, she brought with her a crew of friends, servants, cooks, and waiters who can be held responsible for the French/Italian fusion. This group was responsible for exposing the French to new vegetables such as Savoy cabbage, broccoli, peas, boiled and fava beans, parsley, and artichokes. They also introduced new fruits including apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, figs, and melons. And while Italian chefs from her crew introduced secret recipes such as canard a l’orange (duck in orange), Catherine herself was responsible for a different idea of separating sweet and salty as well.
While this gluttonous lady was not very popular with the French, they particularly liked the desserts that she brought with her. In addition to breads, cakes, pastries, and marmalades, her ice cream and flavor ices, also known as sorbets, were a huge hit among the French. In fact, ice cream was a favorite among them as it was difficult to produce and ice was limited, causing it to originally be limited mostly to the wealthy. Other rich delights that she exposed to her new country were butters and truffles; aspics, a gelatin made from meat stock; and béchamel and other sauces. Another rich recipe that was introduced to the French was carabaccia, or onion soup.
Along with the food, Catherine brought a new elegant style and refinement to the table. She believed in a more lavish, gluttonous style of entertaining that included a more proper, civilized table setting. In fact, before Catherine only 2 utensils were utilized. It is she that introduced the fork to the French dinner table. She also brought more luxurious dishes and glasses so that the format of events was more proper. Venetian crystal glasses and fine silverware had been unheard of before Catherine de Medici graced them with her presence.
While Catherine may not have been the most admired individual in the French court, her presence without a doubt inspired and influenced French cuisine and affects meals served even today.
Here is another recipe that we can thank Caterina de Medici for:
http://www.notecook.com/Main-Course/Vegetarian/Are-Crepes-French-or-Italian.466903
Hope You can Join Me…. If you could not make it to our cooking school here in Italy….The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm cooking school will be at many Whole Foods Markets starting in February 2009 and many more to come. If you would like to join me in any of our special classes on pasta making, Valentine’s Day Dinner Italian style, pairing pasta with their special sauces and other classes, here is the February schedule or call your local Whole Foods market to find out when we will be coming to your area. To register or get more info on any of these cooking programs email us at :events@marialiberati.com. Hope to see you there:
*Feb 8-2PM- Whole Foods Market-Jenkintown. Pennsylvania-Book signing and Cooking Class to follow-Valentine’s Day dinner Italian style from the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking
Feb 18th-7 PM-Whole Foods Market-Marlton, NJ-Book singing (6 PM) and cooking class to follow-Every Pasta Has its’ Sauce- 4 pasta dishes and 4 past sauces and tips on cooking the perfect pasta and pairing pasta to their sauces.
*February 19th-7 PM-Whole Foods Market-Philadelphia, Pa-Book signing (6PM) and Cooking Class to follow-The Basic Art of Italian Cooking-cooking authentic Italian economically.
*February 26th- 2 PM-Whole Foods Market-Princeton, NJ- Book signing and cooking class to follow-Every Pasta Has it’s Sauce- cook 4 pasta dishes and 4 sauces.
For more great recipes get your copy of the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at https://www.marialiberati.com
Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene,
Maria
