Want to eat like the Romans?

Before writing took over my life (in a good way), I used to cook like a crazy woman. Every day I would stand in the kitchen with my kidlets perched on chairs desperate to make everything so much harder help, and whip up slices, cakes and biscuits to binge eat when the kids weren’t looking share with my loved ones.

Those who have read A Gladiator’s Oath will be familiar with this cute moment between Remus and Mila…

Mila glanced down at the tart and then lifted it to his mouth. ‘At least taste it. Lemon is my favourite.’
Her face was all sweet and hopeful. How was he supposed to say no to her? He looked at the tart and then bent slightly, taking a bite. Citrus and sugar exploded in his mouth. He closed his eyes for a moment.
‘Good?’
He nodded, opening his eyes and smiling. ‘So good.’
Satisfied, she took a bite, groaning as she chewed.

I loved researching the foods they ate back in 200AD, so I thought I’d have a go at cooking something from that period. The following recipe is from the book De Agri Cultura by Cato the Elder, who was a consul, statesman, soldier, and possibly a whizz in the kitchen.

I had to choose something simple so that a) I could source the ingredients easily and b) the kids would eat it. That ruled out ostrich ragout and roasted wild boar. Though you can find those recipes here if you’re keen. I settled instead for Libum, which is like cheesecake but much easier. It tasted a bit like a dense scone, but obviously sweeter with the honey. We ate it with ancient world inspired scoops of Peters vanilla ice cream from a plastic tub, because whipping cream seemed like unnecessary mess. I also just poured the honey over the top because if I had asked my kids to ‘wait for the buns to absorb it’ they would have driven me crazy asking, ‘Is it ready yet?’

Want to give it a try? Here’s the recipe…