Dining With The Romans

Numerius was a slave and ate one meal a day consisting of gruel made with cracked wheat.While Spurius a plebian purchased his meals from street vendors,food shops and taverns located near large public buildings and bathhouses. Marius a patrician and a member of the Roman senate had the means and the influence to enjoy his meals that were cooked and served by slaves in one of two spacious dining areas within his home. Quintus a freedman lived in the country where he grew vegetables and raised some livestock for an absentee owner. He and his family ate fresh produce, mashed beans, bacon and cheese that were cooked with fresh herbs, olive oil and salt.

Breakfast was not much of a meal and it consisted of a cracked wheat porridge or bread dipped in wine that was mixed with honey and water. Depending upon one's status, dates or olives were included.

Cracked Wheat Porridge

1-cup Bulgar wheat, crushed 2-cups water 4-Tlbs. olive oil 1-tsp. salt

Directions: In a skillet, heat the olive oil and stir in the Bulgar wheat until it is well coated with the olive oil. Remove from heat and add the water and the salt. Drizzle some honey in the porridge for added sweetness. Serve with some fresh figs, dates or dried apricots.

Lunch was the midmeal of the day. For the majority of the Roman citizens, it was either purchased from the street vendors or food shops and taken home to enjoy. Plebians and freedmen ate bread, fruit, cheese or leftovers from last nights supper. Marius like the other patricians ate his lunch at home or purchased his food from the street vendors. Dinner was served late in the afternoon and it was the main meal of the day. The plebians and the freedmen ate their dinners at the taverns. The food was plentiful and the ingredients were fresh. Wine was diluted with honey and some water and served at every meal.

Grilled Sardines with Garum 8-whole sardines, grilled 4-cups grape juice 2-Tlbs. anchovy paste 1/4-tsp. oregano

Directions: Cook the grape juice until it is reduced down ot one-tenth of its volume. Mix in the anchovy paste and the oregano to the reduced down liquid. Grill the sardines and pour a portion of the garum sauce over them. Serve with some flat bread, ripe cheese and olives.

After a long day at the forum, Marius a Roman senator arrived at his spacious home where he was greeted by slaves. He joined his family and guests in the dining area where appetizers were being served from a bronzed donkey. Everyone took individual portions of hot sausages, dishes of olives, crabs, figs, bacon and tomatoes eating them with their hands. For the entree, a whole pig was cooked and swordsmen cut indivdual pieces for the diners. After the main meal, dessert was served in another dining area where the wine flowed like water. All types of fruit was offered by the slaves. Poppy seeds mixed with honey as well as sweet cakes mixed with honey, nuts and chopped fruits were a special treat.

Pork Roast With Prunes, Apricots and Figs 3 or 4 lb lean pork roast, with a slit cut into the side of it 1/2-cup dry prunes, apricots and figs, chopped 1-Tlb cooking oil 1/4-tsp salt 1/4-cup honey 1/2-cup water

Directions: Have the butcher cut a slit or a pocket into the side of the pork roast.In a sauce pan add the dried fruit, the honey and the water. Simmer the dried fruit until tender. Stuff the cooked fruit into the slit of the pork roast and tie it with a string. Rub the salt on both sides of the pork roast. In a skillet, heat the cooking oil and sear both sides of the pork roast Transfer it to a crock pot cooking for four hours on high and then turn it down to low four more hours. Test the done pork roast with a meat fork to make sure it is cooked through. The beverage of choice was Mulsum. Warm one-half cup of honey and add it to a bottle of Maderia dry white wine. Serve it chilled.

As soon as the sun went down, Quintus a freedman walked from the fields to his home where his wife and daughters were preparing fresh vegetables and a whole chicken stuffed with fresh herbs. Their gardens produced fresh vegetables and they raised chickens and pigs. Quintus had a small vineyard where he grew the grapes for his own wine. Tonight, they were making his favorite soup of broad beans that were mashed and seasoned with herbs,bacon and small chunks of cheese.

Broad Bean Soup 2-cups of small pasta, cooked 3-cups of broad beans,peeled 1-cup of bacon, precooked 1-onion,chopped 1/2-can tomato sauce 1/4-tsp pepper 1/4-teaspoon sea salt

Directions: In a soup pot or a dutch oven, saute the bacon and when it is almost done add the chopped onion and the tomato sauce.Add the peeled broad beans and the salt.Cover the beans with cold water. Simmer on medium low until the beans are tender. If they are dense after they are done cooking add more water. Pour in the cooked pasta.Let the soup cool and serve it with lots of pepper and pecorino cheese.Serve with a piece of flat bread and some olives.

1. Social Position And Food Of The Roman Empire. Jean Preston, Dr. Christian Renaud. December 2,1997. http://www.2cartage.edu/outis/food 2.Essay sample on: Ancient Roman Meals And Eating Habits.http://www.essay.com 3. Broad Bean Soup Recipe.http://www.eatit.com

A love for ancient history, the author has studied some Philosophy and History.

---

Sauted Family Bean Curd

Family bean curd is Sichuan's famous characteristic dish. Its main... Read More

African Bean Soup

Yoruba ethnic group from the Southwestern part of Nigeria call... Read More

Simply Salads

"It is just sensible."exclaimed my friend. She was referring to... Read More

Staight Talk from a Comfort Foodie: World Peace Through Vegetarianism

I became a vegetarian in the early 80's. The Czech... Read More

Crab Stuffed Salmon with Lobster Sauce

I served this dish at an event I catered and... Read More

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

You will need:1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mixFrostingSprinkles or... Read More

Mays Featured Holidays and Recipes

There are three great days in the month of May... Read More

Shake Things Up With Fun Milkshakes

Milkshakes have been around since the old days of drugstore... Read More

The Creamy Taste Of Fudge!

Fudge is a treat that everyone loves. It doesn't matter... Read More

Cool Summer Gazpacho

This refreshing tomato soup is a great cool meal for... Read More

Paella, The Most Famous Spanish Dish

First of all, paella is not exactly the dish but... Read More

Cookbook Publishing - The Basic Ingredients and the Secrets to Success

You are about to embark on the most exciting enterprise... Read More

Braised Fish in Soy Sauce (Hong Shao Yu)

Braised fish in soy sauce is the basic craft of... Read More

Going Halfway Around the World: How to Make German Cookies

I absolutely loved experimenting with foreign recipes, especially dessert recipes,... Read More

My Grandmothers Heritage Recipe

The whole thing started when my sister-in-law called to say... Read More

Low Carb Christmas Enchiladas!

FELIZ NAVIDAD...IT'S A LOW CARB CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS FIESTA!We low carbers... Read More

Parmesan Crusted Sole with Lemon Beurre Blanc

Sole/flounder is a refreshing sweet and mild flavored fish which... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Oven Fried Chicken

Enjoy the sensation of fried chicken without the extra calories... Read More

Wild Watercress Soupt (Nasturtium officinale)

Wild Watercress soup is a delicious and nutritious recipe with... Read More

Broccoli Rabe with Caramelized Onions and Garlic

Broccoli is a major EnergyRich ?, food and strength builder.... Read More

Ice Cream In A Baggie

Yes, it sounds dangerous and the potential for messes seems... Read More

Easy Gourmet Recipes You and I can do!

So, you don't think you can find easy gourmet recipes?... Read More

Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate

Serendipity frozen hot chocolate is a signature dish at the... Read More

Texas Pecan Treats

Come August, there is nowhere I'd rather NOT be than... Read More

Making Whoopie!

Whoopie Pies that is! Other known as "Moon Cakes"Wicked WhoopiesAmy... Read More

Rice Noodles with Tomatoes and Tuna -A Savoury Gluten-free Alternative to Pasta

Ok. I never thought that the day would come when... Read More

Cool Snacks for a Hot Summer

Beat the heat with these cool summer treats!Mouse PopsiclesIt's not... Read More

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Creates National Zucchini Shortage

There are few garden vegetable that are prolific as zucchini... Read More

Thai BBQ or Barbeque Chicken Recipes

What makes Thai BBQ chicken recipes so delicious? It is... Read More

Rib-Eye Steak with Mushrooms and Bleu Cheese

This is a mouth watering steak. Every time I serve... Read More

Four Easy Zucchini Bread Recipes

Tired of the same old zucchini bread recipe and want... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Chicken Tikka

Long term weight loss isn't about hunger, misery and crash... Read More

Low Carb Barbeque Sauce

Is there such a thing as low carb bbq sauce... Read More