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The closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight opened

1910

Page 36 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1910. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Take of Sweet-bryar berries, of Rosemary, broad Thyme, of each a handful. Boil them in a quan- tity of fair water for half an hour ; then cleanse the water from the herbs, and let it stand 24 hours, until it be thorough cold. Then put your hony into itWhite Metheglin (hony which floweth from the Combs of it self in a warm place is best) make it so strong of the honey that it bear an egge (if you will have it strong) the breadth of a groat above the Liquor. This being done, lave and bounce it very well and often, that the honey and water may incorporate and work well together. After this boil it softly over a gentle fire, and scum it. Then beat the whites of eggs with their shells, and put into it to clarifie it. After this, put some of it into a vessel, and take the v/hites of two eggs, and a little barm, and a small quantity of fine flower ; beat them well together, and put it into the vessel close covered, that it may work. Then pour the rest into it by degrees, as you do Beer. At last take a quantity of Cinamon, 2 or 3 races of Ginger, and two Nut- megs (for more will alter the colour of it.) Hang these in a little bag in the vessel. Thus made, it will be as white as any White-wine. ANOTHER WAY OF MAKING WHITE METHEGLIN To three Gallons of Spring-water take three quarts of honey, and set it over the fire, till the scum rises pretty thick. Then take off the scum, and put in Thyme, Rosemary, Hyssop and Maiden-hair, of THE CLOSET OPEC^EB 31 each one handful ; and two handfuls of Eglantine leaves, and half a handful of Organ. The spices, Ginger, Nutmegs, Cinamon and a little mace, and boil all these together near half an hour. Then take it from the fire, and let it stand till it be cold, and then strain it, and so Tun it up, and stop it close. The longer you keep it, the better it will be. ANOTHER WAY Take two Gallons of water ; one Gallon of Honey : Parietary one handful ; Sage, Thyme, one Pugil ; Of Hyssop half a Pugil. Six Parsley-roots ; one Fennel-root, the pith taken out : Red-nettles one Pugil. Six leaves of Hearts-tongue. Boil this to- gether one hour. Then put in the Honey, and Nutmegs, Cloves, Mace, Cinamon of each one ounce ; of Ginger three ounces. Boil all these together, till the scum be boiled in, not scumming it. Then take it off, and set it to cool. When it is cold, put in it six spoonfuls of barm, and when it is ripe, it will hiss in the pail. You must take out the herbs, when you put in the honey. If you put in these herbs following, it will be far better ; Sani- cle, Bugloss, Avens, and Ladies-mantle, of each one handful. Another Way of Making White Metheglin TO MAKE WHITE METHEGLIN Take of Sweet-bryar a great handful : of Violet- flowers, Sweet-marjoram, Strawberry-leaves, Vio- let-leaves, ana, one handful. Agrimony, Bugloss, Borrage, ana, half a handful. Rosemary four bran- ches, Gilly-flowers, No. 4 (the Yellow- wall-flowers, with great tops) Anniseeds, Fennel, and Caraway, of each a spoonful. Two large Mace. Boil all these 32 SIR KENELMB DIGBIE