1 meal in this book
“He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope. There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight. There was a hare, trapped on the hillside, and stewed in Malmsey, of a flavour so delicate that Gonzaga was regretting him his heavy indulgence in the ortolans; there was trout, fresh caught in the stream below, and a wondrous pasty that turned liquid in the mouth. To wash down these good things there was stout red wine of Puglia and more delicate Malvasia, for in his provisioning of the fortress Gonzaga had contrived that, at least, they should not go thirsty.”
Soak a penny French roll in raisin wine till it will hold no more: put it in the dish, and pour round it a custard, or cream, sugar, and lemonjuice. Just before it is served, sprinkle over it some nonpareil comfits; or stick a few blanched and slit almonds into it. Sponge biscuit may be used instead of the roll.
Recipe from New system of domestic cookery, formed upon principles o of 1806.
Sources: Every passage above is quoted verbatim from Love-at-arms : $b being a narrative excerpted from the chronicles of Urbino, during the dominion of the high and mighty Messer Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, free to read in full at Project Gutenberg. The recipes come from cookbooks of the period, also free in full. All are in the public domain in the United States. The binding is ours — navy cloth, grapes stamp.