Sohla Bakes an Apple Pie Recipe from 1796 America (& Medieval England!) | Ancient Recipes With Sohla

Summary

In this video, the host explores the history and evolution of apple pies, comparing medieval English and modern American versions. They begin by preparing an English-style pie using ancient ingredients like figs and raisins, before making a classic American apple pie with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cheddar. After baking, the host tastes both pies, reflecting on their textures and flavors. They also compare the pies to a store-bought version, highlighting the impact of egg whites on crust quality. The host concludes by sharing insights on pie-making and inviting viewers to suggest other vintage recipes to try.

Takeaways

• 😀 The host compares medieval English apple pie with modern American apple pie, exploring their differences in crust, filling, and ingredients.
• 😀 Medieval English apple pie uses dried figs and raisins for sweetness instead of sugar, giving it a more rustic, natural flavor.
• 😀 The crust for the medieval pie is sturdy, crisp, and crumbly, more like a cookie than the flaky pie crust typically seen today.
• 😀 In medieval times, forks were used only for cooking and preparation, and people ate with their hands, which the host replicates while eating the pie.
• 😀 The American apple pie uses apples, lemon, and spices, with a filling that has a softer, applesauce-like texture compared to the medieval pie.
• 😀 The host adds cheddar cheese to the American pie, as was common in the past, and notes that the sharp, salty flavor complements the sweet apples.
• 😀 The host is impressed by the crispness of the pie crust in both the medieval and American pies, particularly after using egg whites in the dough.
• 😀 The medieval pie's filling was simple but flavorful, with the host suggesting that it could use a bit more sweetness for modern tastes.
• 😀 The American apple pie, while tasty, was compared to a store-bought version, with the homemade pies' crust being considered superior in terms of crispness and texture.
• 😀 The host learns valuable lessons about pie crust techniques, particularly the effectiveness of egg whites for achieving a crisp, golden-brown finish.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the medieval English apple pie and the modern American apple pie in terms of ingredients?

The medieval English apple pie uses dried figs and raisins to sweeten the filling instead of sugar, and the crust is more like a cookie—sturdy and crumbly. In contrast, the modern American apple pie uses fresh apples, sugar, and spices, with a flaky, crisp crust.

How does the crust of the medieval English pie differ from the American apple pie?

The crust of the medieval English pie is sturdy, crisp, and crumbly, resembling a cookie more than a flaky pie crust. The American apple pie, on the other hand, has a flaky and tender crust, enhanced by the use of egg whites in the dough.

Why does the person choose to eat the medieval English pie with their hands?

The person chooses to eat the medieval English pie with their hands to align with the eating practices of the medieval period, when forks were not used for eating, only for preparation and cooking.

What did the person expect the medieval pie crust to be like, and how did it actually turn out?

The person expected the medieval pie crust to be hard and tough but was surprised to find it very crisp, tender, and crumbly, more like a cookie than a tough pastry.

How does the filling of the medieval English pie compare to modern apple pie fillings?

The filling of the medieval English pie is sweetened only with dried figs and raisins, giving it a less sweet and more rustic flavor. In contrast, the modern apple pie filling is typically sweetened with sugar and has a smoother, applesauce-like consistency.

What is the significance of adding sharp cheddar to the American apple pie?

The sharp cheddar is added to the American apple pie as a traditional pairing that balances the sweetness of the apples with its salty and sharp flavor, a common practice from the time when the pie was first popularized.

What did the person learn about pie crust preparation after making the pies?

The person learned that using egg whites in the pie crust makes it incredibly crisp and flaky, without needing an egg wash, which was a new and impressive technique that enhanced the crust's texture.

How does the texture of the American apple pie filling differ from the medieval pie filling?

The texture of the American apple pie filling is soft but set, similar to a pumpkin pie filling, while the medieval pie filling is thicker and more textured due to the use of dried fruits like figs and raisins.

Why does the person prefer the medieval English pie crust over the modern apple pie crust?

The person prefers the medieval English pie crust because it is crisp, tender, and crumbly, offering a more enjoyable texture compared to the mealy crust of the modern apple pie, which is described as less crisp and flaky.

What aspect of the modern apple pie did the person particularly enjoy while comparing it to the medieval pies?

The person particularly enjoyed the modern apple pie’s appearance and texture, noting that the filling looked saucy and the crust, when paired with egg whites, was impressively crisp and flaky, offering a more familiar and contemporary pie experience.