Penni--
Back again. The mice were terrific, though I suspect one is counselled to keep the heads on only in the interests of a nice presentation.
Now. I sense that your kids are finicky, or perhaps intolerant of rodent-based meals as the result of an affective and/or cultural block. But hey!, I'm easy. Why not turn 'em on to the Classics? Apicius has much to offer:
Sow's Belly (Sumen)
Sow's udder or belly with the paps on it is prepared in this manner: the belly boil, tie it together with reeds, sprinkle with salt and place in the oven; or start roasting on the gridiron. Crush pepper, lovage, with broth, pure wine, adding raisin wine to taste. Thicken with roux and pour it over the roast.
And for those special occasions:
Stuffed Sow's Belly (you guessed it: Sumen Plenum)
Full-grown sow's belly is stuffed with crushed pepper, carraway, salt mussels; sew the belly tight and roast. Enjoy with a brine sauce and mustard.
And this is fabulous!
Fig-fed Pork (Ficatum)
Fig-fed pork liver is prepared in a wine sauce with pepper, thyme, lovage, broth, a little wine, and oil. (Indeed, it's best to keep it simple!) According to Apicius, pigs were starved, and then crammed with dry figs and suddenly given all the mead they wanted to drink. The violent expansion of the figs in their stomachs, or the fermentation thereof, caused acute indigestion which killed the pigs. The livers were very much enlarged, similar to the foix gras that we can get today (and love so much).
For Richard, a palate-cleansing beverage:
Roman Vermouth (Absinthium romanum):
Roman vermouth is made thus: According to the recipe of Camerinum, you need wormwood from Santo or, as a substitute, wormwood from the Pontus, cleaned and crushed; one Theban ounce of it, 6 scruples of mastich, 3 each of nard leaves, costmary and saffron and 18 quarts of any kind of mild wine. Filter cold; charcoal is not needed because of the bitterness.
That done, let me add that though we may have more recipes from Apicius, there will be none for garum: go out and buy a bottle of Nuoc Mam, same thing. And we will absolutely NOT get into the liquamen controversy!
So there! Not too late for dinner in California!
Janice
PS--for desperate shoppers, lovage=fenugreek |
