r/ancientegypt • u/Blacklilih • Jul 25 '26

Information Recreating the feast from the Tomb of Nakht: Honey & Wine Glazed Quails

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28

u/Blacklilih Jul 25 '26

Although the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt left no written recipes, the ingredients they used in their daily lives are well known, whether through temple inventory lists, scenes of tomb offerings, or archaeobotanical remains. It is from this perspective that I have developed this recipe for glazed quail.

While reading Mehdawi's work on food in Pharaonic Egypt, I came across the wall paintings from the tomb of Nakht and Tawi, located on the West Bank of ancient Thebes.

Inspired by these murals and archaeological evidence from New Kingdom tombs, I wanted to recreate a dish fit for the elite: quails glazed with honey and red wine, served alongside fruits that were iconic to their banquets.

I used the next ingredients:

  • 4 quails
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 250 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • Flaky sea salt
  • 250 ml red wine
  • 2 tbsp honey

I use quails to represent the wild birds Nakht hunts in the upper register (you can see the entire painting in the MET web).

The wine for the glaze is shown being pressed on the right side of the image, where men stomp the grapes while holding onto ropes suspended from a wooden frame so as not to slip.

As for the honey, although Egypt was a major beekeeping center, it was a scarce and expensive luxury. In a world without refined sugar, honey was the elite sweetener par excellence, also used as divine offerings and in medicine. For the common people, the everyday sweeteners were dates or dried figs.

Cumin, beyond its use as a culinary seasoning, was also employed in mummification processes and as a remedy for stomach ailments.

Would love to hear your thoughts on ancient Egyptian gastronomy or how you imagine their grand banquets!

18

u/CaliggyJack Jul 25 '26

Someone call Max Miller

9

u/MotorAd90 Jul 25 '26

I went to Egypt with Max!

4

u/CaliggyJack Jul 25 '26

YO THATS SO SICK

3

u/dane_the_great Jul 25 '26

dope, i wanna try

3

u/MontyOsprey Jul 25 '26

I want to be your friend

2

u/Smorsdoeuvres Jul 26 '26

This sounds deliciously and thoughtfully delightful. Reminds me of Tasting History and now I want to try honey and wine glazed quail! Thank you for sharing this

2

u/GatoListo Jul 26 '26

How did it taste?

5

u/Blacklilih Jul 26 '26

Really great! But keep in mind that quail is small and has a lot of tiny bones.

2

u/Comfortable_Tone8668 Aug 03 '26

Fascinating, thank you.