Friday, May 02, 2008

French Toast?

For some fiction I'm writing, I've been researching the food and clothing of ancient Rome. I came across a late 4th century Roman cookbook, De Re Coquinaria of Apicius, translated into English in 1936 as Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome and reprinted by Dover in 1977.

Check out this recipe in Book VII:
Another Sweet Dish
Aliter dulcia

Break fine white bread, crust removed, into rather large pieces which soak in milk and beaten eggs fry in oil, cover with honey and serve.

I also found several recipes calling for sow's womb, udder and paps; brains are a frequent ingredient too. Now I wonder if the Romans coined the slogan, "Everything but the squeal."

4 comments:

Eric Riback said...

Now we know why the Roman Empire died -- they used honey and not maple syrup on their pain grillé Français.

Janet said...

Pain doré, Eric. ;o)

I am so not going to tell that to my Italian father-in-law. He already thinks that Italy is the center of the universe and the source of everything.

Bella Stander said...

The Romans also had asparagus quiche and crabcake. But if you want to shut your f-i-l up, show him the recipes calling for sow's womb (sterile or fertile) and udders. There are some here.

Buon apetito!

Janet said...

You know, I think it's just safer and easier not to bring the subject up. ;o)

Asparagus quiche I can handle. I'll pass on the sow delicacies.