Cookery and dining in imperial Rome : a bibliography, critical review, and translation of the ancient book known as Apicius de re coquinaria : now for the first time rendered into English

Oldest known cookbook in existence offers readers a clear picture of what foods Romans ate and how they prepared them. Actual recipes — from fig fed pork and salt fish balls in wine sauce to pumpkin Alexander style, nut custard turnovers, and rose pie. 49 illustrations. This is the first English translation of Apicius de re Coquinaria , the oldest known cookbook in existence. It is also one of the few translations of this original Roman cookbook prepared by a professional chef. Joseph Vehling's brilliant translation, extended introduction, and full and helpful commentary combine to bring you a clear picture of what foods the Romans ate, how they prepared them, and the highly developed state of culinary arts in Imperial Rome. There are recipes for cooking fish and seafood, game, chicken, pork, veal, and other domesticated animals and birds, for vegetable dishes, grains, beverages, and sauces; virtually the full range of cookery is covered. There are also methods for preserving foods, revitalizing them, even adulterating them. Some of the recipes are strikingly modern; others use ingredients and methods that have long since disappeared. As the book was originally written for professional cooks working in Rome (perhaps made even more obscure to prevent amateurs from gaining access to the recipes), Joseph Vehling's generous notes are essential for understanding the ingredients and methods used in the recipes and the relationship of Roman cooking to our own traditions. Besides the translation and notes there is much other material, both scholarly and informative, covering cooking in the ancient world, the history and bibliography of Apicius manuscripts and editions, an index and vocabulary of Roman cookery terms, 49 illustrations including drawings by the author and facsimiles from earlier editions, and much more. Needless to say, you couldn't find this information anywhere else. This rare book will appeal to gourmets, professional and amateur chefs, cultural historians, and others who want to see, first hand, the foods on which Imperial Rome dined. It will clear up many myths about Roman cooking and will provide a great deal of enjoyable reading as well. Oldest known cookbook in existence offers readers a clear picture of what foods Romans ate and how they prepared them. Actual recipes — from fig fed pork and salt fish balls in wine sauce to pumpkin Alexander style, nut custard turnovers, and rose pie. 49 illustrations. Apicius, also known as De re culinaria or De re coquinaria (On the Subject of Cooking) is a collection of Roman cookery recipes. It is thought to have been compiled in the fifth century AD. - Wikipedia The oldest known cookbook. It was originally written for professional cooks in ancient Rome and uses many ingredients and methods which are familiar and others which have disappeared Introduction Preface The Book of Apicius The Recipes of Apicius and the Excerpts from Apicius by Vinidarius Apiciana Dictionary of Culinary Terms and Index