LUDI MEGALENSES II - Roman Cooking Contest (4-8 April)

[Octavius Aurelius Augustus]

Sponsored by G. Cassia Longina

Today is the start of a week-long celebration, the Ludi Megalenses, in honour of Magna Mater. Traditionally feasting was a significant part of this festival! Sadly we cannot all feast together as a community in person. But we can feast together using our eyes and words! With this in mind, I formally announce the start of a cooking contest!

This cooking contest will run from April 4 - April 8th.

The prize is 60 denarii

Cassia Longina will be judging the contest. There will be equal points awarded in four categories:

I) Appearance II) Historical Reference III) Description of taste - it does not have to taste good, points awarded for the quality of the description! III) Ingredients / Recipe

You must cook a Roman-themed dish. It can be from a historical recipe or historically plausible Roman recipe.

You submit entries to Octavius Aurelius Augustus or Gaia Cassia Longina, or by replying to the announcement message in the Forum. Entries must contain the following information:

I) Name or Roman Name II) Name of dish III) Original photograph of dish IV) Notes on the historical inspiration for dish V) Description of the taste VI) Recipe

[Publius Iunius Brutus]

[Lucia Hostilia Scaura]

Salvete Omnes,

On April 4 our family followed the ancient custom of hosting a dinner for Megalesia. I served these Roman dishes which are directly from ancient recipes.

1. Spumeum (from Anthimus' On Foods) served with Dodra (from Ausonius' Poems).
This is a duck, egg, and herb souffle

2. Cucumeres (from Pliny's Natural History)
This is braised cucumbers glazed in a honey vinegarette

3. Polenta de Hordeo / Pearl Barely Porridge (from Pliny's Natural History)
As described here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1831



Spumeum

In a blender puree one handful of parsley, one handful of thyme, one handful of oregano and 75 g of bread. Mix in 150ml of vegetable stock, 1 tbs of white wine, 1 tbs of honey, 1 tbs of garum, 1 tbs of olive oil. Pour this mix evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. This mix is the Dodra.

On top of this layer add course pieces of smoked duck and French green beans. A handful of each.

Above this layer add 8 whipped egg whites.

Then cook at 190 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes until the top layer is golden.

Cucumeres

Take 2 large field cucumbers and peel them. Then coarsely chop the cucumbers and steam in a pan containing 6 tbs of white wine vinegar, 6 tbs of olive oil, 2 tbs of honey, and two pinches of sea salt. Steam until tender and serve. Usually about 10 minutes.

[Procula Valeria Messalla]

[Gaia Cassia Longina]

Congratulations to L. Hostilia Scaura on winning first place in this year's cooking event! Your meal looks delicious!

May the ancestors and gods smile upon you and our Republic,
C Cassia Longina

[Publius Iunius Brutus]

Congrats to the winner (who defended her title from the previous year) and well done to all the participants.

Hostilia, the victor's badge has been applied to your profile. I will leave it to our aediles to award you the denarii prize. I have transferred the denarii I promised.

See: http://romanrepublic.org/civitas/citize ... 0Scaura/22

Great work everyone!