Ancient Roman Libum Bread and Moretum & Olive Spreads

 

The Libum was a type of bread, or rather a cake made with ricotta, flour, eggs and bay leaves, which used to be prepared at the time of Ancient Romans.


To make the libum you need:

• 2 pounds of white cheese
•  1 pound of wheat flour
• 1 egg
• olive oil
• bay leaves

Beat the cheese in a mortar; when it is well beaten, add in the flour. Add one egg and mix all together well. Shape it so that it is flat and round. Lay onto olive oiled pan over spread bay leaves under it, and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden-brown.

To make the Moretum spread:

• 1 clove of garlic (or less for a milder taste)
• parsley to sprinkle it
• 1 tbsp of coriander seeds
• a pinch of salt
• 200 gr. of white cheese
• 1 tsp olive oil
• A splash of wine vinegar

Crush the garlic into a mortar, add the coriander and parsley. Beat until made smooth, add salt and the white cheese along with the olive oil. Work to make a homogenous mass then add the vinegar and blend everything well.

Black Olive Spread

• 100 gr dried tomatoes
•  100 gr black / brown olives (pitted)
• olive oil (a drizzle)
• a pinch of salt
• {sunflower seeds}

Put the ingredients into a blender and work until you make a puree. When spread over a piece of bread you can sprinkle it with sunflower seeds.

To learn more about Romans and their dietary habits, I found an interesting read you may want to indulge as well as a recipe for an incredible video / recipe how to make bread as the Romans did 2000 years ago.