Livro de Cozinha da Infanta D. Maria de Portugal is the oldest known cookbook in Portuguese language. It is a manuscript from the 16th century that belongs to Infanta D. Maria of Portugal, the daughter of Infante D. Duarte and the granddaughter of King Manuel I of Portugal. She married Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, in 1565 and took the manuscript with her to Italy. The manuscript is currently preserved in the National Library of Naples.

The cookbook contains 67 recipes that are divided into four sections: "Caderno dos Manjares da Carne" (Booklet of Meat Dishes), "Caderno dos Manjares de Leite" (Booklet of Milk Dishes), "Caderno dos Manjares de Ovos" (Booklet of Egg Dishes) and "Caderno das Cousas de Conservas" (Booklet of Preserves). The recipes reflect the medieval character of Portuguese cuisine at the time, with dishes made of meat, poultry, game, fish, eggs, milk, fruits, desserts and preserves. The use of sugar and spices, which were still scarce and luxurious goods, is prevalent in many recipes.

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Livro de Cozinha da Infanta D. Maria de Portugal also includes some recipes of medicinal and other purposes, such as remedies for toothache, fever, cough, wounds and snake bites, as well as instructions for making ink, glue, soap and perfume.

The cookbook is a valuable source of information about the culinary history and culture of Portugal and its connections with other regions and countries. It shows the influence of Arabic, Jewish and Italian cuisines on Portuguese gastronomy, as well as the introduction of new ingredients from the discoveries made by Portuguese explorers in Africa, Asia and America.

The cookbook has been edited and translated into modern Portuguese by Amass. Cook., a publisher specialized in historical gastronomy. The edition aims to present an original interpretation of the medieval manuscript, adapted to modern language but respecting the original weights, ingredients and cooking techniques. The edition is available as an ebook on Amazon and Fnac.

Infanta D. Maria of Portugal, the Duchess of Parma and Placência, stands as a pioneering figure in both history and the culinary realm. By introducing the oldest known Portuguese recipe book to the Italian court, she facilitated an exchange of culinary traditions and offered a window into the gastronomic practices of the 15th and 16th centuries. Through her manuscript, we gain valuable insights into the ingredients, techniques, and cultural influences of the time.