The History of Food...Like You've Never Seen It!
Perhaps mentally I am still on summer break, although classes have started, or perhaps I'm longing for my former life as a historian. I'm not quite sure why, but this week, I voraciously re-watched one of my favorite programs: The Supersizers Eat (Series 1) and the Supersizers Go (Series 2). I've watched these episodes dozens of times, yet still, I love them and never tire of them.
You may be wondering, "what on earth is The Supersizers?" I'll tell you right now, I am NOT talking about the Morgan Spurlock film "Supersize Me." The Supersizers was a really clever and fascinating program hosted by Giles Coren and Sue Perkins. Giles Coren is a food critic and writer, whilst Sue Perkins is a TV presenter/comedian/writer/overall awesome person. Coren and Perkins selected 13 eras in history (predominately British), and then they spent the week living the life and eating the foods of that period.
In the first series, Coren and Perkins traveled back to: the Edwardian period, WWII era Britain, Restoration England (mid 1660s), Victorian England, the 70s, Elizabethan England, and Regency era England.
In series two, they traveled to: the 80s, medieval England (Norman Conquest), the French Revolution, the 20s, the 50s, and ancient Rome. What a vast timeline!
Sorry to bombard you with all of those pictures, but I thought it was a nice way of illustrating what I am talking about. Let me say that I do not own these pictures, but found them online.
Anyway, back to the show. As a historian and a foodie, this show is like a dream come true. It satisfies both my mind and my stomach! It's really amazing to see the evolution of food throughout history, what was eaten then that isn't eaten now, but more importantly, the PORTIONS. Granted, Giles and Sue tend to lead the lives of wealthy members of society, but the amount of food that was eaten (but more often wasted) is extraordinary. I think that in the 21st century, our recommended caloric intake is like 2500 calories for men and 2000 calories for women. (I just googled this). Back in the day, for example in the Edwardian period, people were eating a whopping 5000 calories per day!!!!!! What the what?!
Before each episode, Giles and Sue visit the doctor and get a health check pre-Supersizers diet. Once the week is over, they return to the doctor to see how period diets have affected their bodies. So in this case, I get all three passions in one show: medicine, food, and history. What a winner! Except for perhaps the wartime episode, which improved their health, for the most part, all of the diets wreak havoc in one way or another. Whether it's increased uric acid, cholesterol, body fat, or an overworked liver, usually neither Giles nor Sue conclude the diet unscathed, which is really interesting.
It's amazing the things you learn from this show. Did you know that Britain's national dish of fish and chips was actually invented in the late 19th century by Jews fleeing pogroms in Eastern Europe? Did you know that in the 1920s, women were encouraged to stay thin by taking laxative? Did you know that in Elizabethan England, there were days where you had to eat fish and it was illegal to eat meat on fish days? And did you know that during WWII, it was illegal for you not to finish the food that was on your plate?! Amazing, right?! I literally could go on for hours playing the "did you know?" game.
Another reason that keeps me watching the show? The dynamic between Giles and Sue. They are wonderful together. They act like siblings and the way they talk to one another is hilarious and witty. This show definitely keeps me laughing.
I love this show so much, that I was inspired to recreate one of the meals myself! Christmas is my favorite season. When I tell people that they roll their eyes and say things like, "Well of course you like Christmas, you get presents, blah blah blah blah." That's where they are wrong. As cliche as this may sound, for me Christmas is really not about presents but about goodwill towards men and just the cheerfulness of the season. I love how everything is lit up, I love the snow (when it actually snows), and I love the way Christmas brings people together. I also love Christmas films, but that's a whole other story.
Well, about three years ago, after watching the Supersizers for the first time, I decided that I too wanted to have a Victorian Christmas. For as long as I can remember, it was has been a family tradition to watch the George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol" on Christmas Day. My family is obsessed. We can act it out word for word and we quote the film all year long. With such a strong personal connection to Dickens and Christmas, I was really inspired when the Supersizers had a proper Dickensian Christmas. Whereas a normal person might say, "wow, that looked interesting" and move on with their life, I thought, "THAT WAS AMAZING. I AM GOING TO DO THAT TOO!" I spent hours searching the internet for recipes and spent days strategizing how I was going to copy the Supersizers. In the end, I was quite successful.
Like Giles and Sue, my Christmas feast featured Brown Windsor soup, potato croquettes, goose, wild game pie, red cabbage, roasted veggies, and mince pies. ALL MADE FROM SCRATCH. It took days and it was more work than I had originally imagined, but I pulled it off and had a proper Victorian Christmas. This past Christmas, I recreated the same meal (it's become a bit of a tradition), but my piece de resistance was my homemade Christmas pudding.
In a "A Christmas Carol" this is the most important dish at the Cratchett's feast. I hope I did Mrs. Cratchett proud. When I brought it to the table, my father tasted the first spoonful, just like Bob Cratchett. Dad was seriously judging my Christmas pudding, I mean, I'd never made this before and didn't even have the write baking equipment. Much to my relief, like Bob Cratchett says to his wife, dad turned to me and said, "A triumph my dear, a TRIUMPH!"
Wow, I really went off on a tangent talking about Christmas. Sorry. As you can see, I am really inspired by this show! (When Christmas comes around, I'll be sure to share pictures with you of my Dickensian feast!)
I don't want to give away too much, in case anyone ends up watching, and I really hope that you do! Let's just say, some of the food they eat will leave you feeling nauseous, but some may inspire you. I guarantee you will learn and laugh a lot. One warning, don't watch this show on an empty stomach. If you are curious about watching this program, you can find it on youtube. Just search "Supersizers" and then whatever period you are interested in watching.
You may be wondering, "what on earth is The Supersizers?" I'll tell you right now, I am NOT talking about the Morgan Spurlock film "Supersize Me." The Supersizers was a really clever and fascinating program hosted by Giles Coren and Sue Perkins. Giles Coren is a food critic and writer, whilst Sue Perkins is a TV presenter/comedian/writer/overall awesome person. Coren and Perkins selected 13 eras in history (predominately British), and then they spent the week living the life and eating the foods of that period.
In the first series, Coren and Perkins traveled back to: the Edwardian period, WWII era Britain, Restoration England (mid 1660s), Victorian England, the 70s, Elizabethan England, and Regency era England.
Edwardian
Wartime
Restoration
Victorian
1970s
Elizabethan
Regency
1980s
Medieval
French Revolution
1920s
1950s
Ancient Rome
Anyway, back to the show. As a historian and a foodie, this show is like a dream come true. It satisfies both my mind and my stomach! It's really amazing to see the evolution of food throughout history, what was eaten then that isn't eaten now, but more importantly, the PORTIONS. Granted, Giles and Sue tend to lead the lives of wealthy members of society, but the amount of food that was eaten (but more often wasted) is extraordinary. I think that in the 21st century, our recommended caloric intake is like 2500 calories for men and 2000 calories for women. (I just googled this). Back in the day, for example in the Edwardian period, people were eating a whopping 5000 calories per day!!!!!! What the what?!
Before each episode, Giles and Sue visit the doctor and get a health check pre-Supersizers diet. Once the week is over, they return to the doctor to see how period diets have affected their bodies. So in this case, I get all three passions in one show: medicine, food, and history. What a winner! Except for perhaps the wartime episode, which improved their health, for the most part, all of the diets wreak havoc in one way or another. Whether it's increased uric acid, cholesterol, body fat, or an overworked liver, usually neither Giles nor Sue conclude the diet unscathed, which is really interesting.
It's amazing the things you learn from this show. Did you know that Britain's national dish of fish and chips was actually invented in the late 19th century by Jews fleeing pogroms in Eastern Europe? Did you know that in the 1920s, women were encouraged to stay thin by taking laxative? Did you know that in Elizabethan England, there were days where you had to eat fish and it was illegal to eat meat on fish days? And did you know that during WWII, it was illegal for you not to finish the food that was on your plate?! Amazing, right?! I literally could go on for hours playing the "did you know?" game.
Another reason that keeps me watching the show? The dynamic between Giles and Sue. They are wonderful together. They act like siblings and the way they talk to one another is hilarious and witty. This show definitely keeps me laughing.
Sue and Giles as peasants during the French Revolution
goofing off, 1920s style
I love this show so much, that I was inspired to recreate one of the meals myself! Christmas is my favorite season. When I tell people that they roll their eyes and say things like, "Well of course you like Christmas, you get presents, blah blah blah blah." That's where they are wrong. As cliche as this may sound, for me Christmas is really not about presents but about goodwill towards men and just the cheerfulness of the season. I love how everything is lit up, I love the snow (when it actually snows), and I love the way Christmas brings people together. I also love Christmas films, but that's a whole other story.
Well, about three years ago, after watching the Supersizers for the first time, I decided that I too wanted to have a Victorian Christmas. For as long as I can remember, it was has been a family tradition to watch the George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol" on Christmas Day. My family is obsessed. We can act it out word for word and we quote the film all year long. With such a strong personal connection to Dickens and Christmas, I was really inspired when the Supersizers had a proper Dickensian Christmas. Whereas a normal person might say, "wow, that looked interesting" and move on with their life, I thought, "THAT WAS AMAZING. I AM GOING TO DO THAT TOO!" I spent hours searching the internet for recipes and spent days strategizing how I was going to copy the Supersizers. In the end, I was quite successful.
Sue serving Giles a slice of GIANT game pie
Like Giles and Sue, my Christmas feast featured Brown Windsor soup, potato croquettes, goose, wild game pie, red cabbage, roasted veggies, and mince pies. ALL MADE FROM SCRATCH. It took days and it was more work than I had originally imagined, but I pulled it off and had a proper Victorian Christmas. This past Christmas, I recreated the same meal (it's become a bit of a tradition), but my piece de resistance was my homemade Christmas pudding.
In a "A Christmas Carol" this is the most important dish at the Cratchett's feast. I hope I did Mrs. Cratchett proud. When I brought it to the table, my father tasted the first spoonful, just like Bob Cratchett. Dad was seriously judging my Christmas pudding, I mean, I'd never made this before and didn't even have the write baking equipment. Much to my relief, like Bob Cratchett says to his wife, dad turned to me and said, "A triumph my dear, a TRIUMPH!"
Wow, I really went off on a tangent talking about Christmas. Sorry. As you can see, I am really inspired by this show! (When Christmas comes around, I'll be sure to share pictures with you of my Dickensian feast!)
I don't want to give away too much, in case anyone ends up watching, and I really hope that you do! Let's just say, some of the food they eat will leave you feeling nauseous, but some may inspire you. I guarantee you will learn and laugh a lot. One warning, don't watch this show on an empty stomach. If you are curious about watching this program, you can find it on youtube. Just search "Supersizers" and then whatever period you are interested in watching.
Sue making Jane Austen proud by trying to find a suitable husband
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