Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

omit salt completely. Instead of honey we have also added maple syrup once. To make this a perfect luncheon dish a starch is wanting; we have therefore added sliced raw potatoes and cooked with the rest, to make it a balanced meal, by way of improving upon Lucretius. Since the ancients had no potatoes we have, on a different occasion, created another version by added sliced dasheens (_colocasia_, cf. {Rx} Nos. 74, 216, 244, 322). It is surprising that the ancients who used the _colocasium_ extensively did not combine it with the above dish. [153] STEWED LACERTUS FISH _PATINA DE LACERTIS_ [1] CLEAN AND WASH [soak] THE FISH [2] [cook and flake it] BREAK AND BEAT EGGS, MIX THEM WITH THE FISH, ADD BROTH, WINE AND OIL. PLACE THIS ON THE FIRE, WHEN COOKED [scrambled] ADD SIMPLE FISH WINE SAUCE [3] TO IT, SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER AND SERVE [4]. [1] Ex List. wanting in Tor. G.-V. _P. de lagitis_; cf. note to {Rx} No. 148. [2] Remembering that List. reads _lagitis_ for _lacertis_, this formula appears to be an antique "Scrambled Eggs and Bacon." Cf. notes to {Rx} Nos. 42, 148-150. [3] _Oenogarum_, cf. {Rx} No. 147, the Sardine Omelette. [4] To cook the eggs as described above would be disastrous. The fish, if such was used, was probably first poached in the broth, wine and oil, and when done, removed from the pan. The _fond_, or remaining juice or gravy, was subsequently tied with the egg yolks, and this sauce was strained over the fish dressed on the service platter, the _{oe}nogarum_ sparingly sprinkled over the finished dish. This would closely resemble our modern _au vin blanc_ fish dishes; the _{oe}nogarum_ taking the place of our meat glacé. Another interpretation of this vexatious formula is that if fish was used, the cooked fish was incorporated with the raw beaten eggs which were then scrambled in the pan. In that event this formula resembles closely the sardine omelette. [154] A FISH STEW _PATINA ZOMORE_ [1] THE ZOMORE FISH DISH IS MADE AS FOLLOWS [2] TAKE RAW GANONAS [3] AND OTHER