Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

AS FOLLOWS: [2] QUINCES ARE COOKED WITH LEEKS, HONEY AND BROTH, USING HOT OIL, OR THEY ARE STEWED IN HONEY [3]. [1] G.-V. _p. de Cydoneis_. [2] Tor. sentence wanting in other texts. [3] This latter method would appeal to our modern notion of preparing fruits of this sort; we use sugar syrup to cook them in and flavor with various spices, adding perhaps a little wine or brandy. III OF FINELY CHOPPED, MINCED MEATS _DE MINUT ALIBUS_ [1] [164] A MINCE OF SEA FOOD _MINUTAL MARINUM_ PLACE THE FISH IN SAUCE PAN, ADD BROTH OIL AND WINE [and poach it]. ALSO FINELY CHOP LEEK HEADS [the white part only of leeks] AND [fresh] CORIANDER. [When cool, mince the fish fine] FORM IT INTO SMALL CAKES [2] ADDING CAPERS [3] AND SEA-NETTLES WELL CLEANED. THESE FISH CAKES COOK IN A LIQUOR OF PEPPER, LOVAGE AND ORIGANY, CRUSHED, DILUTED WITH BROTH AND THE ABOVE FISH LIQUOR WHICH SKIM WELL, BIND [with roux or eggs] STIR [strain] OVER THE CAKES, SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER AND SERVE. [1] G.-V. _minutal de piscibus vel Isiciis_. [2] Tac. G.-V. _isiciola ... minuta_--resembling our modern _quenelles de poisson_--tiny fish dumplings. [3] Tac. _cum caparis_; Tor. _c. capparibus_; Vat. Ms. _concarpis_; List. G.-V. _concerpis_. [165] TARENTINE MINUTAL _MINUTAL TARENTINUM_ [1] FINELY CHOP THE WHITE PART OF LEEKS AND PLACE IN A SAUCE PAN; ADD OIL [fry lightly] AND BROTH; NEXT ADD SMALL SAUSAGE TO BE COOKED LIKEWISE. TO HAVE A GOOD TARENTINE DISH, THEY MUST BE TENDER. THE MAKING OF THESE SAUSAGE WILL BE FOUND AMONG THE ISICIA [Nos. 60-66] [2]. ALSO MAKE A SAUCE IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: CRUSH PEPPER, LOVAGE AND ORIGANY, MOISTEN WITH BROTH, ADD OF THE ABOVE [sausage] GRAVY, WINE, RAISIN WINE; PUT IN A SAUCE PAN TO BE HEATED, WHEN BOILING, SKIM CAREFULLY, BIND, SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER AND SERVE. [1] G.-V. _Terentinum_, for which there is no reason. Tarentum, town of lower Italy, now Taranto, celebrated for its wine and luxurious living. [2] Such references to other parts of the book are very infrequent. [166] APICIAN MINUTAL _MINUTAL APICIANUM_ THE APICIAN MINUTAL IS