Ancient Romans ‘invented the beef burger’ – and this is their 3,500-year-old recipe
IT is generally accepted that the Roman's were masters of engineering and invented things way before their time.
However, it may surprise you to learn that there's an ancient text which also gives them credit for creating the beef burger.
What you may consider to be a quintessentially American invention is actually mentioned in an ancient Roman cookbook called Apicius.
The text was written by an unknown author sometime between the late 4th and 5th century AD and contains lots of recipes.
One of those recipes describes a dish called ‘Isicia Omentata’.
It details how a cook should use minced meat, pepper, pine nuts and a rich fish-based sauce and form them all into a patty shape.
This Roman delicacy looks very similar to modern day burgers once cooked.
The Romans are also credited for being big users of 'fast food joints' and even brought them over to Britain.
These places were known as thermopolia and served quick food like chicken legs and lamb chops to people in large towns.
Food Historian Dr Annie Gray previously explained on an : "We all know that the Romans left a huge mark on Britain, fundamentally altering the British diet forever."
She added: "Street food became available en masse, and many of our favourite foods were introduced, including Isicia Omentata, what can be seen as the Roman forefather to today’s burger."
Gray also said that the Roman burgers would have been "more upmarket" and "complex" than the ones we know today.
She also stressed that other similar recipes can be seen throughout history.
How to make ancient Roman burgers
To make the burgers yourself you'll need the following ingredients: 500g minced meat, 60g pine kernels, three tsp. Garum (a salty fish sauce – you can use a fish based sauce found in the supermarket, or just regular salt), ground pepper, a handful of coriander, juniper berries (optional) and caul fat (optional).
These ingredients should give you enough of a mixture to make four burgers.
Next, you'll need to grind up the pine kernels before mixing all of the ingredients together.
Separate your mixture into four parts and shape them into burger patties.
If your're using caul fat then you'll need to wrap it around the formed burgers.
Cook your burgers over a medium heat or BBQ for five minutes either side.
Then either serve them on their own or in a bun.
A brief history of the Roman Empire
Here's what you need to know...
- The Roman Empire began shortly after the founding of the Roman Republic in the 6th century BC
- It reigned for around a thousand years until the fall of the last Western emperor in 476 AD
- During this time, the Romans ruled over many countries in Europe and parts of Africa and the Middle East
- At its height, 90 million people lived in the Roman Empire
- It evolved from a monarchy to a democratic republic to a military dictatorship and then was finally ruled by emperors
- One of the most well-known Roman leaders is Julius Caesar, famously assassinated in 44BC
- He is largely credited for his military mind and laying the foundations for the Roman Empire
- The spread of the Roman Empire into Britain in around 55 BC has had a lasting impact on our lives today
- Latin, straight roads, underfloor heating and the spread of Christianity are all attributed to the Romans
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Are you planning on using this Ancient Roman recipe? Let us know in the comments...
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