Aaah, the Romans. What is it about this ancient civilization we find so fascinating? The jewelry? Gladiators? Canals? Bathhouses? Their gods? If nothing else grabs your attention then surely you must take interest in their food. They lived in a climate kissed by the sun, the sea, and the four seasons. Now thanks to the other end of the historic continuum (the internet) you have access to one of Rome’s prized collection of recipes.
It’s pretty safe to say the copyright on the collection of recipes written by Marcus Apicius during Roman times has expired. All the recipes have been translated from Latin into English. Appropriately named, De Re Coquineria, it’s fascinating snapshot of a Roman kitchen. Go here to read it online.
De Re Coquineria is actually a collection of 10 books spanning everything from wine to seafood. Don’t forget the roast meats, truffles, sauces and legumes. Scan it for familiar ingredients. It’s also a great inspiration to try spices whose history of use dates back to these ancient times (asafoetida for example).
No need to be intimidated by the exotic Roman ingredients. Here are some suggestions for modern substitutes for ingredients like liquamen, passum, and polomeinze (you’ll have to scroll a couple inches). Seems this is the original Mediterranean diet!
If you want to follow ancient Roman recipes in a modern format try this cookbook: Roman Cookery: Ancient Recipes for Modern Kitchens.
Have fun with it and enjoy! And please, share your thoughts.
October 14, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Who knew?? Thanks for this great site for those of us who love flavors and history.
October 15, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Hello Karen, Your Mother has been here for bridge. What a great thing you are doing!!! I NEED A GOOD CURRY. I have not beenable to find a good one since we had the restauranr and bought it from Rykoff. Also cardemom that I use for my cinamon rolls, is not the same as it used to be. I have not read everything yet, ut I will do it soon. Lisa
October 15, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I love your site and will use it ofter. Where else can I find just the right spice for the special dinner with Pamela.
Thanks for the great information.
G
October 16, 2009 at 7:27 am
Thanks for the enthusiasm everyone!
Lisa, I’ll move cardamom and curry up on the “to do” list on the guide under “The Spices.” Are you using ground cardamom or grinding your own from pods or seeds? As for curry, there are many different kinds. Curry is a blend and the proportions and ingredients of each curry blend vary from region to region (sort of like marinara sauce in Italy). Even so there are many types of curry. Sweet green, spicy, red, yellow etc. I’ll post a selection and some resources along with curry blend recipes.
October 20, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Well DONE! A very enjoyable tour of your site, Karen. You are to be congratulated, once again…. Definitely we have to explore the kebseh spices of Arabia, and the zatar from Lebanon, so delicious with olive oil on hot bread with coffee in the morning. I really enjoyed your chocolate selections, too. I found in my cupboard one called “Xocolatl” from Dagoba Organic Chocolate, “Hot choclate with chilies and cinnamon”, now I am ready to try it! Adventure awaits. Keep up the great work, you are making things fun.
October 21, 2009 at 7:12 am
Shaula,
A Spice Sherpa elf gave that to you…two years ago! It has a considerable amount of heat. The Vosges heat bar also uses the Aztec recipe of chili with chocolate and cinnamon. But the ancho chili provides a comfortable and very pleasant warmth. I prefer it. You could melt some squares slowly in milk for a rich hot cocoa.
May 21, 2010 at 9:21 am
Hi Karen – am sitting here in Riyadh talking spices with the ladies, we decided we love salad that is made in Lebanon with arugula and zatar, the zatar is fresh green leaves, small and thin, and they mix it with other greens but it is such a good taste combination. One of the ladies said we can buy the seeds here and grow it. That would be great. I will try to bring the fresh zatar mixed with sesame seeds, etc, Are you able to find it in your area? Thinking of you – went to the antique suq and got another dhallah (old coffee pot), guess I’m hooked on old coffee pots…. xx Shaula
PS tonight we go to eat kebseh – sitting on the floor old style…. looking forward to it. xx