Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

_LOCUSTAS ASSAS_ MAKES THUS: IF BROILED, THEY SHOULD APPEAR IN THEIR SHELL; [which is opened by splitting the live lobster in two] SEASON WITH PEPPER SAUCE AND CORIANDER SAUCE [moisten with oil] AND BROIL THEM ON THE GRILL. WHEN THEY ARE DRY [1] KEEP ON BASTING THEM MORE AND MORE [with oil or butter] UNTIL THEY ARE PROPERLY BROILED [2]. [1] i.e. when the soft jelly-like meat has congealed. [2] Same procedure as today. [399] BOILED LOBSTER WITH CUMIN SAUCE [1] _LOCUSTAM ELIXAM CUM CUMINATO_ REAL BOILED LOBSTER IS COOKED WITH CUMIN SAUCE [essence] AND, BY RIGHT, THROW IN SOME [whole] [2] PEPPER, LOVAGE, PARSLEY, DRY MINT, A LITTLE MORE WHOLE CUMIN, HONEY, VINEGAR, BROTH, AND, IF YOU LIKE, ADD SOME [bay] LEAVES AND MALOBATHRON [3]. [1] Cumin, mustard and other spices similar to the above are used for cooking crawfish today. [2] Sentence ex Tor. wanting in other texts. [3] Malabathrum, aromatic leaves of an Indian tree; according to Plinius the _laurus cassia_--wild cinnamon. [400] ANOTHER LOBSTER DISH--MINCE OF THE TAIL MEAT _ALITER LOCUSTAM--ISICIA DE CAUDA EIUS SIC FACIES_ HAVE LEAVES READY [in which to wrap the mince croquettes] BOIL [the lobster] TAKE THE CLUSTER OF SPAWN [from under the female's tail, and the coral of the male] THEREUPON CUT FINE THE [boiled] MEAT OF THE TAIL, AND WITH BROTH AND PEPPER AND THE EGGS MAKE THE CROQUETTES [and fry]. It is understood that hen eggs are added to bind the mince. [401] BOILED LOBSTER _IN LOCUSTA ELIXA_ PEPPER, CUMIN, RUE, HONEY, VINEGAR, BROTH AND OIL. [402] ANOTHER LOBSTER PREPARATION _ALITER IN LOCUSTA_ FOR LOBSTER LET US PROPERLY EMPLOY [1] PEPPER, LOVAGE, CUMIN, MINT, RUE, NUTS, HONEY, VINEGAR, BROTH, AND WINE. [1] Tor. _rectè adhibemus_, sentence not in the other texts. II RAY, SKATE _IN TORPEDINE_ [1] [403] [A Sauce for] RAY _IN TORPEDINE_ CRUSH PEPPER, RUE, SHALLOTS, [adding] HONEY, BROTH, RAISIN WINE, A LITTLE WINE, ALSO A FEW DROPS OF OIL; WHEN IT COMMENCES TO BOIL, BIND WITH ROUX. [1] _torpedo_; the _raia torpedo_ of Linnæus; a ray or skate. [404] BOILED RAY _IN TORPEDINE ELIXA_ PEPPER, LOVAGE,