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--> --> June 19: Apicius cooks for Cancer Jeff Cheek Cancer, or the Crab, will be the dominant zodiacal sign from June 21 to July 22. The ruling celestial body is the moon and it governs the breast and stomach. The ancient Egyptians used the scarab beetle as the symbol for Cancer. It symbolized rebirth, and a scarab beetle was wrapped in the burial cloth of each mummy. Apicius, the celebrated Roman gourmet who wrote the first cook book in the first century, was the Martha Stewart of his time. His ten-volume book covered all aspects of the housekeeper. Volume one contains general advice such as using honey to keep bread fresh. Honey is hydroscopic - something that retains and absorbs moisture - so it keeps baked goods fresh and palatable for longer periods. His third volume covered gardening with hints on growing and serving vegetables. Apicius planned his elaborate banquets around the zodiac. He had definite ideas of what should be served during Cancer. Modern astrologers are not so concerned with the food being served as with predictions for the future. A synopsis from several astrologers for the year 2001 follows: This year will be a year of harmony for those born under the sign of Cancer, with a series of win-win situations predicted. This includes not only Cancerians but also those close to them. April should have been a particularly favorable month, with gifts and bonuses in May. June is a month for travel, especially for business, but gains are more emotional than financial. Family matters are the primary concern until September. In October, Cancerians should consider remodeling their homes, or a new wardrobe, to insure that the good fortune continues. December brings more advancement in the Cancerian's career. Apicius tried to define the Cancerian character. In his view, Cancerians are hard working, tenacious, and have a well-developed business sense. As a rule, they are successful. Yet, for some reason, they tend to be timid in social relationships but this timidity shows only in their social or public life. In business matters, they are bold, dominant, and possessive. They rarely fail in commerce. Apicius recommended crab, snail, or prawns as seafood for the Cancerian. Swan was suggested for poultry, and veal as the red meat course. For vegetables, his recommendations were eggplant, zucchini, melons, and garlic. His recommendations for spices are limited: salt and pepper, vinegar, cardamom, and poppy seeds. Many of his recipes are both expensive and time-consuming. Cocleas Lacte Pastas (milk-fed snails) is an example. It took days to prepare the dish with a servant cleaning the snails hourly. Surprisingly, he also includes some simple recipes that are inexpensive and easy to cook, such as Eggplant (Aubergine) Salad. INGREDIENTS: 3 medium-sized eggplants 5 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons wine vinegar 2 garlic cloves, crushed Salt and pepper to taste PREPARATION: Roast eggplants on grill until outer skin begins to flake and eggplant is charred all over. Peel carefully. Put eggplant in bowl, mash well, slowly add oil and vinegar while stirring, then salt, pepper, and add crushed garlic. Chill before serving. Jeff Cheek lives in Medford Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing