Subtlety

A subtlety (or soteltie) is a Western European medieval dish, usually served after or between main courses, usually decorated in some fashion or even disguised as other food. In medieval English cuisine, subtelties were used as a way to demark one main course from another. An example from the coronation feast of Henry IV was of a "highly decorated" dish including pastries, jelly, almond paste and sugar. This was followed by yet another course, another subtlety and a third course. In medieval cookery there was no tradition that stated any particular course should be viewed as an appetizer. The medieval courses included up to a dozen separate dishes and with foods that today would be viewed as typical main courses such as roasted meats, fowl, pies and heavy side dishes, such as rice.

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Western Europe: Western Europe is distinguished from Eastern Europe by differences of history and culture rather than by geography. However, these boundaries of Europe are subject to considerable overlap and fluctuation, which makes differentiation difficult. Thus the concept of Western Europe is associated with li...

Medieval: REDIRECTMiddle Ages...

English cuisine: English cuisine is shaped by the country's temperate climate, its geography, and its history. The latter includes interactions with other European countries, and the importing of ingredients and ideas from places such as North America, China, and India during the time of the British Empire and as a...