Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

EGGS, SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER AND SERVE [2]. [1] Tor. [2] Very much like a modern soup, purée of lettuce. [131] VEGETABLE AND BRAIN PUDDING _PATINA FRISILIS_ [1] TAKE VEGETABLES, CLEAN AND WASH, SHRED [2] AND COOK THEM [3] COOL THEM OFF AND DRAIN THEM. TAKE 4 [calf's] BRAINS, REMOVE [the skin and] STRINGS AND COOK THEM [4] IN THE MORTAR PUT 6 SCRUPLES OF PEPPER, MOISTEN WITH BROTH AND CRUSH FINE; THEN ADD THE BRAINS, RUB AGAIN AND MEANWHILE ADD THE VEGETABLES, RUBBING ALL THE WHILE, AND MAKE A FINE PASTE OF IT. THEREUPON BREAK AND ADD 8 EGGS. NOW ADD A GLASSFUL [5] OF BROTH, A GLASSFUL OF WINE, A GLASSFUL OF RAISIN WINE, TASTE THIS PREPARATION. OIL THE BAKING DISH THOROUGHLY [put the mixture in the dish] AND PLACE IT IN THE HOT PLATE, (THAT IS ABOVE THE HOT ASHES) [6] AND WHEN IT IS DONE [unmould it] SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER AND SERVE [7]. [1] List. _frictilis_; Vat. Ms. _fusilis_; G.-V. _id._; Lan. _frisilis_. _Patina frisilis_ remains unexplained. None of the various readings can be satisfactorily rendered. If the vegetables had remained whole the dish might be compared to a _chartreuse_, those delightful creations by the Carthusian monks who compelled by the strictest rules of vegetarianism evolved a number of fine vegetable dishes. On the other hand, the poached mixture of eggs and brains is akin to our _farces_ and _quenelles_; but in modern cookery we have nothing just like this _patina frisilis_. [2] Wanting in List. [3] and [4] Wanting in Tor. [5] _Cyathum._ [6] Sentence in () ex Tor. [7] This and some of the following recipes are remarkable for their preciseness and completeness. [132] ANOTHER COLD ASPARAGUS [and Figpecker] DISH _ALITER PATINA DE ASPARAGIS FRIGIDA_ COLD ASPARAGUS PIE IS MADE IN THIS MANNER [1] TAKE WELL CLEANED [cooked] ASPARAGUS, CRUSH IT IN THE MORTAR, DILUTE WITH WATER AND PRESENTLY STRAIN IT THROUGH THE COLANDER. NOW TRIM, PREPARE [i.e. cook or roast] FIGPECKERS [2] [and hold them in readiness]. 3 [3] SCRUPLES OF PEPPER ARE CRUSHED IN THE MORTAR, ADD BROTH, A GLASS OF WINE, PUT