"From the Lord Commander's own table," Bowen Marsh told them. There were salads of spinach and chickpeas and turnip greens, and afterwards bowls of iced blueberries and sweet cream. —A Game of Thrones
Medieval Crème Bastard
This recipe produces an addictive cream sauce that is simple to make and not too sweet, complementing the natural sweetness of the berries. As a treat on the Wall, where Jon Snow makes his home, we thought it particularly fitting that the recipe is called Crème Bastard. Bastard is an early form of the word custard, and has no connection with one's parentage when used in a culinary context.
Take þe whyte of Eyroun a grete hepe, & putte it on a panne ful of Mylke, & let yt boyle; þen sesyn it so with Salt an hony a lytel; þen lat hit kele, & draw it þorw a straynoure, an take fayre Cowe mylke an draw yt with-all, & seson it with Sugre... —Two Fifteenth-Century Cookery Books
Recipe information
Total Time
3 hours
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
We prefer to start with fresh blueberries rather than frozen ones, because many frozen berries are often processed improperly. To get started, sort your blueberries, setting aside any overripe ones for immediate snacking. The key is to freeze the berries flat, using a plate or baking sheet in the freezer. After the berries are frozen, they can be transferred to a bag and stored for up to six months.
Step 2
While the berries are freezing, combine the egg whites and 1 cup of the milk in a pan on the stovetop, and bring to just under a boil, whisking all the while. Let it simmer for around 5 minutes, then add the honey and salt. After simmering for another minute or two, strain the mixture into a bowl. Add the remaining milk and sugar. Pour the sauce into a pitcher or serving dish and chill; it will thicken as it chills.
Step 3
Pour the cooled sweet cream over the frozen berries to serve.
