Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

TABLE Claw-footed bronze legs on triangular base, consisting of three molded cylindrical supports, connected by cross-bars. Near the top the legs take on a greyhound design, with a three-armed brace connecting them. The round top is of marble. Pompeii. Ntl. Mus., Naples, 78613; Field M., 24281.} APICIUS Book V {Illustration: POMPEII: WINE STOCK ROOM OF A TAVERN Wine was kept in these great jugs, tightly sealed with plaster and pitch, properly dated and labeled, often remaining for many years. Some writers mention wine thus kept for a hundred years; the porosity of the earthen crocks, often holding fifty gallons or more, allowed evaporation, so that the wine in time became as thick as oil or honey, which necessitated diluting with water. Smaller amphoræ, with various vintages readily mixed, were kept cool in "bars" very similar to our present ice cream cabinets, ready for service for the guests in tavern rooms. Elaborate dippers (see our illustration) were used to draw the wine from the amphoræ.} {Illustration: FRUIT OR DESSERT DISH, SEA-SHELL SHAPE The curved handle ends in the head of a griffin. Ntl. Mus., Naples, 76303; Field M. 24298.} BOOK V. LEGUMES _Lib. V. Osprion_ [1] CHAP. I. PULSE, MEAL MUSH, PORRIDGE, ETC. CHAP. II. LENTILS. CHAP. III. PEAS. CHAP. IV. BEANS OR PEAS IN THE POD. CHAP. V. BARLEY BROTH. CHAP. VI. GREEN BEANS, BAIÆAN BEANS. CHAP. VII. FENUGREEK. CHAP. VIII. GREEN STRING BEANS AND CHICK-PEAS. I MEAL MUSH, MUSH, PULSE, PAP, PORRIDGE, POLENTA _DE PULTIBUS_ [2] [178] JULIAN MEAL MUSH _PULTES JULIANÆ_ [3] JULIAN PULSES ARE COOKED THUS: SOAK WELL-CLEANED SPELT, PUT IT ON THE FIRE; WHEN COOKED, ADD OIL. IF IT THREATENS TO BECOME THICK, CAREFULLY THIN IT DOWN. TAKE TWO COOKED BRAINS AND HALF A POUND OF MEAT GROUND AS FOR FORCEMEAT, CRUSH THIS WITH THE BRAINS AND PUT IN A POT. CRUSH PEPPER, LOVAGE AND FENNEL SEED, MOISTENED WITH BROTH, A LITTLE WINE AND PUT IT ON TOP OF THE BRAIN AND MEAT. WHEN THIS FORCEMEAT IS HEATED SUFFICIENTLY, MIX IT WITH THE SPELT [finish boiling] TRANSFER INTO SERVICE DISH, THINNED. THIS MUST HAVE THE CONSISTENCY