Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 4
Step back in time with Trenchers, the edible bread plates that were a staple of medieval feasts. 🍽️✨ In the Middle Ages, trenchers were thick, stale slices of bread used as plates to serve hearty stews and roasted meats. After soaking up the flavorful juices, they were often eaten or given to the poor. This reimagined version uses fresh, rustic bread paired with a simple medieval-style stew for a taste of history you can recreate at home.
Ingredients
🔥 For the Trenchers (Rustic Bread Base):
☑ 1 large round rustic loaf (like sourdough or country bread) 🍞
☑ Olive oil (for brushing) 🫒
☑ Optional: Garlic clove (for rubbing the bread) 🧄
🔥 For the Medieval-Style Stew:
☑ 1 pound beef, lamb, or mushrooms (for a plant-based option), cubed 🍖🍄
☑ 2 tablespoons🥄 olive oil
☑ 1 large onion, chopped 🧅
☑ 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
☑ 2 carrots, diced 🥕
☑ 2 parsnips, diced 🌿
☑ 1 cup vegetable or beef broth 🍲
☑ ½ cup red wine (optional, for depth of flavor) 🍷
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 dried thyme 🌿
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 ground black pepper 🧂
☑ Salt to taste 🧂
🔥 Optional Add-ins:
☑ Dried fruits like prunes or apricots for a sweet-savory twist 🍑
☑ Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, thyme) 🌿
👨🍳 Cooking Steps
🍞 Step 1: Prepare the Trenchers
1️⃣ Slice the rustic loaf into thick slices (about 1–1.5 inches thick).
2️⃣ Lightly brush each slice with olive oil and toast in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until crisp but not hard.
3️⃣ Optionally, rub a cut garlic clove over the toasted bread for extra flavor.
🥩 Step 2: Cook the Stew
1️⃣ In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add the onion and garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant.
3️⃣ Add the meat or mushrooms, browning on all sides.
4️⃣ Stir in the carrots, parsnips, broth, wine (if using), thyme, pepper, and salt.
5️⃣ Simmer gently for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew thickens and flavors develop.
🍽️ Step 3: Assemble the Dish
1️⃣ Place the toasted trenchers on individual plates.
2️⃣ Ladle the warm stew over the bread, allowing the juices to soak in slightly.
3️⃣ Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
✨ Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
1️⃣ Serve immediately, enjoying the combination of savory stew with the flavorful, slightly soaked bread.
2️⃣ In true medieval style, the trencher can be eaten after the stew or used to scoop up the remaining sauce.
Rustic, hearty, and steeped in history—Trenchers bring the flavors of medieval feasts right to your table. Who’s ready to dine like royalty from centuries past? 🍞🍖
