Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

next formula, has not been clearly defined. As a matter of fact, not many modern cooks today are able to give a clear definition of such terms as frying, broiling, roasting, braising, baking, which are thus subject to various interpretations. IV [472] ROAST MEAT BALLS _OFELLAS ASSAS_ MEATBALLS [previously sauté], CAREFULLY PREPARED, ARRANGE IN A SHALLOW STEW PAN AND BRAISE THEM IN WINE SAUCE; AFTERWARDS SERVE THEM IN THE SAME SAUCE OR GRAVY, SPRINKLED WITH PEPPER. V [473] GLAZED CUTLETS _ALITER OFELLAS_ THE MEAT PIECES ARE BRAISED [1] IN BROTH AND ARE GLAZED [2] WITH HOT HONEY [3] AND THUS SERVED. [1] Cf. note 3 to Excerpta III. [2] _unguantur._ [3] Dann. oil; G.-V. _melle_--_honey_. It is quite common to use honey for glazing foods. Today we sprinkle meats (ham) with sugar, exposing it to the open heat to melt it; the sugar thus forms a glaze or crust. VI [474] MEAT BALLS WITH LASER _OFELLAS GARATAS_ [1] LASER, GINGER, CARDAMOM, AND A DASH OF BROTH; CRUSH THIS ALL, MIX WELL, AND COOK THE MEAT BALL THEREIN [2]. [1] Cf. Summary of Dishes, and note 1 to Excerpta III. [2] Dann. adds cumin, due perhaps to the faulty reading of the sentence, _misces cum his omnibus tritis_, etc. VII [475] SEA-SCORPION WITH TURNIPS _PISCES SCORPIONES RAPULATOS_ [1] COOK [the fish] IN BROTH AND OIL, RETIRE WHEN HALF DONE: SOAK BOILED TURNIPS, CHOP VERY FINE AND SQUEEZE THEM IN YOUR HANDS SO THAT THEY HAVE NO MORE MOISTURE IN THEM; THEN COMBINE THEM WITH THE FISH AND LET THEM SIMMER WITH PLENTY OF OIL: AND WHILE THIS COOKS, CRUSH CUMIN, HALF OF THAT AMOUNT OF LAUREL BERRIES, AND, BECAUSE OF THE COLOR, ADD SAFFRON; BIND WITH RICE FLOUR TO GIVE IT THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY. ADD A DASH OF VINEGAR AND SERVE. [1] _rapa_, _rapum_: white turnip, rape; "turniped." VIII [476] [Sauce for] ANY KIND OF FISH, FRIED MAKE THUS: _PISCES FRIXOS CUIUSCUMQUE GENERIS_ CRUSH PEPPER, CORIANDER SEED, LASER ROOT, ORIGANY, RUE, FIGDATES, MOISTEN WITH VINEGAR, OIL, BROTH, ADDING REDUCED MUST, ALL THIS PREPARE AND MIX CAREFULLY, PLACE IN SMALL CASSEROLE TO