Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

Apicius. SUMMARY OF SPICES _BREVIS PIMENTORUM_ [1] WHICH SHOULD BE IN THE HOUSE ON HAND SO THAT THERE MAY BE NOTHING WANTING [in the line of condiments]: SAFFRON, PEPPER, GINGER, LASER, LEAVES [laurel-bay-nard], MYRTLE BERRIES, COSTMARY, CHERVIL [2], INDIAN SPIKENARD, ADDENA [3], CARDAMOM, SPIKENARD. [1] _Pigmentorum_--_specierum_--spices. The old _pigmentum_ is really any coloring matter; the word, corrupted to pimento and pimiento is now used for sweet red pepper and also for allspice. [2] _Cariofilu_--_cærefolium_--_Chærephyllon_; Fr. _Cerfeuille_; Ger. _Kerbel_. This should be among the herbs. [3] Not identified. OF SEEDS [to be on hand] _DE SEMINIBUS HOC_ POPPY SEED, RUE SEED, RUE BERRIES, LAUREL BERRIES, ANISE SEED, CELERY SEED, FENNEL SEED, LOVAGE SEED, ROCKET SEED, CORIANDER SEED, CUMIN, DILL, PARSLEY SEED, CARRAWAY SEED, SESAM. OF DRIED [herbs, etc., to be on hand] _DE SICCIS HOC_ LASER ROOT, MINT, CATNIP, SAGE, CYPRESS, ORIGANY, JUNIPER, SHALLOTS, BACAS TIMMI [1], CORIANDER, SPANISH CAMOMILE, CITRON, PARSNIPS, ASCALONIAN SHALLOTS, BULL RUSH ROOTS, DILL, FLEABANE, CYPRIAN RUSH, GARLIC, LEGUMES [2], MARJORAM [3], INNULA [4] SILPHIUM, CARDAMOM. [1] Not identified. Perhaps the seed of thyme, though the word _bacas_ would be out of place there. [2] _Ospera_, i.e., _Osperios_. [3] _Samsucu_, i.e., _sampsuchum_ Elderberries? [4] Not identified; perhaps _laurus innubus_, dried virgin laurel leaves. OF LIQUIDS [to be on hand] _DE LIQUORIBUS HOC_ HONEY, REDUCED MUST, REDUCED WINE, APIPERIU [1] RAISIN WINE. [1] Not identified. We take it to be honey mead, or some other honey preparation, maybe, _piperatum_, pepper sauce. OF NUTS [to be on hand] _DE NUCLEIS HOC_ LARGER NUTS, PINE NUTS, ALMONDS [1] HAZELNUTS [filberts] [2]. [1] _Acmidula_, i.e., _amygdala_. [2] _Aballana_--_abellana_--_abellinæ_--_avellana_; Fr. _avelline_. OF DRIED FRUITS [to be on hand] _DE POMIS SICCIS HOC_ DAMASCUS PRUNES, DATES, RAISINS, POMEGRANATES. ALL OF THESE THINGS STORE IN A DRY PLACE SO THAT THEY MAY LOSE NEITHER FLAVOR NOR [other] VIRTUES. SUMMARY OF DISHES [1] _BREUIS CYBORV_ [1] I. CASSEROLE OF VEGETABLES AND CHICKEN _CACCABINA MINORE_ II. STUFFED CHARTREUSE _CACCABINA FUSILE_ III. BRAISED CUTLETS _OFELLAS GARATAS_ IV. ROAST MEAT BALLS _OFELLAS ASSAS_ V. GLAZED CUTLETS _ALITER OFELLAS_ VI. MEAT BALLS WITH LASER _OFELLAS GRATON_ VII. SEA SCORPION