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Rating: 
Summary: Witty & Rewarding
Review: This book is a feast of witty stories culled from mostly first century sources about the dining customs of the Caesars and those they ruled, followed by a hundred or so pages of tasty recipes - including several in the original Latin - all dug out of the prose and poetry of the time and many attributed to persons who would be known to any first year Latin scholar. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and the recipes are easy, authentic, and delicious. I borrowed this book from the library at St. Anselm's Abbey, and all 10 of the dishes I prepared for my daughter's 8th grade Latin class using it were devoured voraciously. I was impressed by the level of scholarship involved in finding and testing all the recipies, and I appreciated the detailed source list, which gives recipe by recipe citations. The practical hints for modern readers and encouragement to use authentic ingredients rather that substitute were also great. Best of all were the cultural and historical stories used to introduce many of the recipes. One tidbit: did you know that Ancient Romans thought lettuce was indigestible, and so they pounded their romaine to a pulp before making their salads? I just have to have a copy of this cookbook for my home library, and I highly recommend it for any student of Ancient Rome or as a present for a beloved Latin teacher. Lastly, the author is right. The Stuffed Dates with Honey are addictive!
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