Thoughts:
This is a fun, medieval, glorified version of whipped cream that is intended to look like fresh snow. The addition of beaten egg whites stiffens the mix beyond the texture of ordinary whipped cream. The flavor is only slightly sweet, although you could add more sugar to taste. The hint of rosewater is what makes this light and fluffy dish especially unique. Although originally a dessert dish in its own right, to our modern sensibilities, it’s more like a topping. Personally, I think this would make a great addition to any wintery feast, and would look especially fitting next to a nice chocolate yule log. It can accompany any dish with which you would serve whipped cream.
For more of a dessert dish, check out this other recipe for Apple Snow, c. 1880.
A Dishful of Snow
Prep: 15 minutes Makes 4 plus servings
To make a dissh full of Snow. Take a potell of swete thicke creame and the whites of eight egges & beate them al togider with a spone / then put them in youre creame and a saucer full of Rosewater and a disshe full of Suger with all / than take a sticke & make it cleane / and than cutte it in the ende foure square / and there with heate all the aforesayde thinges togither / & ever as it ryseth take it of and put it into a Collander / this done / take one apple and set it in the myddes of it and a thicke busshe of Rosemary and set it in the middes of the plater / then cast your Snow upon the Rosemary & fyll your platter therewith. And if you have wafers cast some in with all and thus serue them forth. -A Propre new booke of Cokery, 1545
Ingredients:
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 2 egg whites
- 1 tsp. rosewater, or more to taste
- 2 Tbs. sugar, or more to taste
- rosemary and apple, for garnish
Combine the cream, egg whites, rosewater, and sugar in a bowl. Beat with a mixer until the mixture thickens substantially and begins to resemble a fluffy snow. Scoop into a colander and allow to drain in the fridge for at least five minutes. Decorate a platter with rosemary stalks, then spoon the “snow” on top. Dust with a little extra sugar for sparkle, then place an apple in the middle. Serve immediately.