6 century recipes

Traditional mincemeat with real beef and suet, the way it was made for centuries before the meatless version took over. Currants, raisins, apples, brandy, and warming spices simmer into a deeply flavored pie filling. Yields 80 servings.

Eisenhower's chocolate layer cake with cocoa dissolved in boiling water, sour milk, and a fluffy seven-minute frosting. A classic mid-century American recipe with presidential history.

The first chili recipe appeared in West Texas at the turn of the century.

A medieval English blancmange: tender poached chicken folded into creamy almond milk rice with butter and ground almonds, topped with golden fried almonds. A savory, centuries-old dish brought to life.

Pease porridge is a traditional British split pea soup simmered with a ham bone, turnip, potato, celery, and fresh herb sprigs. A thick, hearty potage that's been warming kitchens for centuries.

Old-fashioned chocolate cake with crushed peppermint stick candy folded right into the batter. A tender cocoa layer cake with a cool, pepperminty crunch. Straight out of a mid-century church cookbook.