Veni, Vidi, Vici

The Roman city of Volubilis, in Morocco near Meknes between Rabat and Fez, blew me away. I’m something of a ruin junkie, so found it embarrassing that I’d never heard of the place. A UNESCO heritage site, Volubilis, devastated by an early 18th century earthquake, lies in a beautiful plain with gently rolling hills.  A great deal of renovation has taken place; more is ongoing and a museum is being built. Currently there is no souvenir shop nor were there very many visitors in early April –great on both counts.

Our guide took us through the Appian Way, so clearly a Roman road with broad stones leading to the mothership, and pointed out a row of shops with signs delineating their use (bakery, wine-seller).bakery sign, Volubilis There are several large houses with wonderful mosaics that made me wish for an effort to protect them; exposed to the elements as they are, further damage is inevitable.

mosaic.jbg

Here, in a relatively small city on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, are all the Roman standards: a massive Arch of Caracalla, an aqueduct  that provided water to buildings and flushed away sewage, several temples and a basilica.

Typical of Morocco, there were tensions about restorations made during the era of French colonization. Whatever you think of the Romans, they certainly knew how to design and build.

As bread and beer were features of Roman cuisine, this is recipe for one using the other, courtesy of a friend. No yeast, no rising, just mix and bake–it’s practical, like the Romans.

beerbread

Faith’s Beer Bread
3 cups flour
Add 1 teaspoon of baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt for each cup of flour
¼ cup sugar
1 – 12 oz. can or bottle of beer (each brand of beer gives a slightly different flavor so you’re on your own here.)

Mix dry ingredients and add beer slowly trying to avoid foam if possible. Stir until well mixed and spoon into greased loaf pan. Bake 50-55 minutes @ 375 degrees until golden brown. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and continue cooling on a rack. (Note: bread slices more easily if fully cooled.)

Skip the marathon, pass the butter.

 

 

 

 

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