The Delicious Legacy

HelloIt's with deep sadness that I've learned the passing of Professor Daniel Newman a prominent scholar of Medieval Arab Cuisine and a friend of this podcast.He was a guest four years ago, almost to this day when we talked about Persian cuisine in the middles ages, the influence of Arab and Islam on it, and of course vice versa.It was a fascinating discussion that lasted almost two hours and I thought i'll share with you the best bits, edited down with all the lovely fun facts and delicious recipes of the vast, fascinating period.And of course I want to dedicate this episode to all Iranian people who are suffering at this horrible time, under unimaginable conditions.In memoriam of the lovely Daniel Newman. 1963- 7th March 2026.Love,Thom{The music on this episode is titled nihavend pesrev and is probably by a Greek composer of Ottoman era named Πετράκης (Tiryaki) (1543; - 1600)He was an important Rum composer and musician in the Ottoman empire of the 16th century. He lived in the Istanbul and participated in a dervish order, having the nickname, Tiryaki (theriaklis).Lived probably between 1543 and 1600, and attributed approximately 10 compositions.In some sources mention the Great Petrakis (Petraki I Kebir), but is more likely to relate to Peter the Peloponnesian later. Petros Peloponnesios or Peter the Lampadarios (c. 1735 – 1778). He was a cantor, composer and teacher of Byzantine and Ottoman music. He served as second domestikos (ecclesiastic official of the Byzantine Empire and later part of the Orthodox Church in Constantinople, present day Istanbul) between his arrival about 1764 until the death of Ioannes Trapezountios, and it is assumed that he became lampadarios (leader of the left choir) between 1770 and 1778 at the Great Church of Constantinople, after Daniel the Protopsaltes became Archon Protopsaltes.}

Hello!Brand new episode where I explore the "bakaliaros" aka bacalao or salt dried cod for you and me, of the Greeks.Specifically what's the history of the fried battered salt cod and garlic mash dish that is so popular in Greece generally this time of the year, usually on the 25th of March and what's the connection with the Greek War of Independence?Recommendations for this week:The Watercress Queen:https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com/p/s4e7-the-watercress-queenRe-creating the complex cuisine of prehistoric Europeans:https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/recreating-the-complex-cuisine-of-prehistoric-europeans/Gourmet magazine:https://gourmetmagazine.net/Cuisines of Odesa: recipes and stories from Ukraine’s historic cityhttps://www.foxlanebooks.co.uk/product-page/cuisines-of-odesaLove,Thom

Hello!Something a little different this weekend instead of a recipe...On today's episode, I'm talking about the recent ancient roman tasting event I went at the Hellenic and Roman Library in Senate House in central London.I'm discussing the menu that was served by Sally Grainger a prominent food archaeologist specialising in ancient Mediterranean cooking and ingredients. She also talked about her research all these years about Garum and Silphium two of the most well known but equally misunderstood ingredients of the ancient Greek and Roman table. Overall in my opinion and Sam's opinion the food was tasty and the audience/guests all seem to enjoy it and those who had a negative opinion about ancient food have changed their minds! From a room of 50 or so attendees I think only three or so weren't keen in the tastes of the food.Anyway it was fascinating and I hope I'll get the chance to interview Sally for this podcast soon!Love & GarumThe Delicious Legacy

Hello!This is part two of my conversation with the fantastic Anna Ansari about her book "Silk Roads" and the food of Central Asia.From Baku to Beijing!Origins, trade routes, influences, and what is the connecting thread behind it all?Plus a lot of personal stories, especially with melon! Personal dramas of melon!Find out more, here!You can buy Anna's book from my affiliate link at bookshop.org:https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17049/9780241694374Enjoy!Thom & The Delicious Legacy

Hello!Your recipe of the week on a Saturday is out!Thessaly. The flat and fertile land of Central Greece, famed since ancient times for their horses and cavalry that provided the strategic support for Alexander The Great's campaign on his conquest of the Persian Empire.Our task today -and recipe from the region- will be a lot easier than conquering a continent and subduing the world's mightiest empire! We just need to cook this delicious dish and eat it with family or friends.Let's find out how to make it, and the ingredients!Bon Appetit! Music by Miltos BoumisEnjoy,Thom & The Delicious Legacy

Melons. Spinach. Sheep tail fat.Spices. Bazaars. Enough tales to tantalise even the most incurious mind!Hello my curious archaeogastronomers!A new episode is here for your enjoyment!This time I have the great honour to have the fantastic Anna Ansari as my guest.We talk all about food, history and cultures of the cultures in Central Asia aka "Silk Roads" and her own personal story.I hope you'll enjoy this fantastic epic adventure!You can find Anna here on her website:https://www.annaansari.com/aboutAnd Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thisplacetastesdelicious/?hl=enYou can buy Anna's book from my affiliate link at bookshop.org:https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17049/9780241694374Lots of loveThom

Hello!Today's recipe on a Saturday is Salt Cod Dolmades with tomatoey avgolemono (egg lemon) sauce:A Delicious Peloponnesian recipe for the winter times.In the interior of the Peloponnese, where fresh fish was rare dried fish such as cod became staple.Enjoy!

Hello my curious archaeogastronomers!A brand new episode is out, and it's all about the long history of fermented dairy foodstuffs from the vast regions of Central Asia.Fermented dairy products from Central Asia have been to space! Resilient and nutritious, and good for the bronze age and the space age, are truly interstellar travelers of our civilization!We all know yoghurt and kefir but have you heard of kumis, chortan, gooroot?For this reason I 've employed the expertise and knowledge of Dr Simi Rezai Ghassemi, to tell me all about the amazing, uknown, and life giving fermented dairy products of Central Asia countries, from Azerbaijan, to Iran, all the way to Mongolian steppe!The 4000 year old mummified remains of a woman known as "The Beauty of Xiaohe" have fermented dairy (kefir? cheese?) as necklace. A seemingly unbroken tradition of drying and preserving dairy for the long harsh environments of Central Asia since time immemorial...So who indeed invented the first kefir? This side of Caucasus or the desserts of China?All the above and much more on today's episode!More about the mummies found in Tarim Basin:https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/ancient-mummies-of-the-tarim-basin/Find out more about Dr Simi below:Web: https://simiskitchenblog.wordpress.comSubstack: https://srezaighassemi.substack.comIntagram: https://www.instagram.com/simiskitchen/Equinox: https://equinoxpub.com/projects/fermented-dairy-of-central-asiaFrom bookshop.org:https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17049/9781800507029Anyway enjoy our fascinating chat here!Love,Thom & The Delicious Legacy

Hello!New recipe of the week is out!This one is called "Fasolakia Yahni" and it's a classic of the "lathera" family of dishes, usually vegetarian. The name means "oily" aka cooked in lots of great Greek extra virgin olive oil! With music from Miltos Boumis.Enjoy!LoveThom