Roman accounts of mushroom orgies have surfaced, a thrill-seekers union of food, humanity, and fungi; Cider-Braised Chicken with Farro and Mushrooms to ward off winter blues
An amazing weaving of history and cooking and health information! By the way, I eat the Portobello sandwich about once a week from Jersey Mike's. I'm hoping they are reasonably careful with their mushrooms!
Thank you...seems dry to write about Vitamin D insufficiency alone! This gawk-worthy historical account is much more charismatic...mushrooms seems a less risky proposition than deli meats, I'm sure!
Such a fascinating read, Ellen! As the story progressed, I had a feeling Amanita muscaria would make an appearance. Thank you for the thoughtful shoutout; I’m always inspired by these conversations around food, culture, and health. You weave all three together beautifully!
The Amanita muscaria and their cousins are fascinating both for their bioactive compounds and the mystique of the poential for toxic missteps. I enjoyed researching this one...appreciate your kind words.
I knew none of this. Like one of the previous commenters, I remember watching I, Claudius with my father and been intrigued by the story, but this was new to me. Thanks for such an enlightening post!
This was a rabbit hole that I went down while researching for this piece...the history is so compelling...and not just for us! Pliny the Elder and the ancients wrote their suspicions down.
Thanks, Faye! Glad to know you enjoyed the read. We get fresh cold-pressed cider readily here in New England, so I find it has many uses. Makes a great braised red cabbage, too!
Absolutely fascinating. Ever since I watched iClaudius when younger I’ve been fascinated by his story. And I love all you share about mushrooms. So interesting. Well done!
An amazing weaving of history and cooking and health information! By the way, I eat the Portobello sandwich about once a week from Jersey Mike's. I'm hoping they are reasonably careful with their mushrooms!
Thank you...seems dry to write about Vitamin D insufficiency alone! This gawk-worthy historical account is much more charismatic...mushrooms seems a less risky proposition than deli meats, I'm sure!
Such a fascinating read, Ellen! As the story progressed, I had a feeling Amanita muscaria would make an appearance. Thank you for the thoughtful shoutout; I’m always inspired by these conversations around food, culture, and health. You weave all three together beautifully!
The Amanita muscaria and their cousins are fascinating both for their bioactive compounds and the mystique of the poential for toxic missteps. I enjoyed researching this one...appreciate your kind words.
I knew none of this. Like one of the previous commenters, I remember watching I, Claudius with my father and been intrigued by the story, but this was new to me. Thanks for such an enlightening post!
This was a rabbit hole that I went down while researching for this piece...the history is so compelling...and not just for us! Pliny the Elder and the ancients wrote their suspicions down.
What a fascinating story about the Romans and the role of mushrooms. And your recipes sound great! Thank you!
Thanks, Faye! Glad to know you enjoyed the read. We get fresh cold-pressed cider readily here in New England, so I find it has many uses. Makes a great braised red cabbage, too!
Absolutely fascinating. Ever since I watched iClaudius when younger I’ve been fascinated by his story. And I love all you share about mushrooms. So interesting. Well done!
It's great when memories are brought forward into adulthood...I can imagine you watching the Romans feasting on banquettes in that 1976 BBC series