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Cherry Pottage (Pudding)

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Cherry Pottage is a luxurious medieval dish that combines the tart sweetness of cherries with the richness of wine, sugar, and butter. Thickened with fine breadcrumbs, this dish was a symbol of wealth and sophistication, as it utilized high-cost ingredients like white sugar and fine white bread (wastel bread). Typically served at noble feasts, it was both a dessert and a visual delight, garnished with aromatic cloves and sprinkled with coarse sugar for an added touch of elegance. The dish balances fruity tartness with creamy and spiced undertones, offering a unique and indulgent taste of medieval dining culture.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 300 g fresh ripe red cherries about 2 cups
  • 120 ml red wine 1/2 cup
  • 60 g white sugar about 1/3 cup
  • 15 g unsalted butter 1 tablespoon
  • 75 g soft white breadcrumbs about 1/2 cup
  • Pinch of salt
  • Whole cloves for decoration
  • Coarse white sugar for sprinkling
  • Optional Topping: Whipped snow cream - 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

Prepare the Cherries:

  • Wash the cherries and remove the stems and stones. Purée the cherries in a blender or food processor with 50ml of the wine (about 3 tablespoons) and half the sugar. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more wine to loosen it.

Cook the Pottage:

  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the cherry purée, breadcrumbs, remaining wine, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture steadily to combine.
  • Lower the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 8-10 minutes.

Cool and Decorate:

  • Pour the cherry pottage into a serving bowl and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, place in the refrigerator to chill completely.
  • Decorate the edge of the bowl with whole cloves (gilded if you like for a decorative touch) or small flowers. Sprinkle coarse white sugar over the center.

Serve with Whipped Cream:

  • Add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each serving just before serving. For homemade whipped cream, beat 1/4 cup heavy cream with 1 teaspoon of sugar until soft peaks form.

Video

Notes

  • Clove Warning: The whole cloves are for decoration and should not be eaten, as they are very strong in flavor.
 
  • Substitutions: For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the red wine with cherry juice or grape juice.
 
  • Whipped Cream Variations: Add a touch of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon to the whipped cream for extra flavor.