Being very starchy, the
dasheen readily absorbs the fats and juices of the
roast, making a delicious dressing, akin in taste to a
combined potato and chestnut puree.

As the above chicken is cooked in _bouillon_ or water,
the dasheen may be used in a raw state for filling. We
have tried this method. Instead of confining the chicken
in a basket, we have tied it in a napkin and boiled
slowly until done. Serve cold, with the above dressing.

[245] CHICKEN A LA VARUS [1]
_PULLUS VARDANUS_

COOK THE CHICKEN IN THIS STOCK: BROTH, OIL, WINE, A BUNCH OF LEEKS,
CORIANDER, SATURY; WHEN DONE, CRUSH PEPPER, NUTS WITH 2 GLASSES OF
WATER [2] AND THE JUICE OF THE CHICKEN. RETIRE THE BUNCHES OF GREENS,
ADD MILK TO TASTE. THE THINGS CRUSHED IN THE MORTAR ADD TO THE CHICKEN
AND COOK IT TOGETHER: THICKEN THE SAUCE WITH BEATEN WHITES OF EGG [3]
AND POUR THE SAUCE OVER THE CHICKEN. THIS IS CALLED "WHITE SAUCE."

[1] G.-V. _Vardanus_; Tor. _Vardamus_; Hum. _Vardanus
legendum, puto, Varianus, portentuosae luxuriae
Imperator_. Hum. thinks the dish is dedicated to emperor
Varianus (?) The word may also be the adjective of
Varus, Quintilius V., commander of colonial armies and
glutton, under Augustus. Varus committed suicide after
his defeat in the Teutoburg Forest by the Germans.

[2] G.-V. broth, own stock--_ius de suo sibi_.

[3] Strain, avoid ebullition after the eggs have been
added. Most unusual _liaison_; usually the yolks are
used for this purpose. The whites are consistent with
the name of the sauce.

[246] CHICKEN A LA FRONTO [1]
_PULLUM FRONTONIANUM_

A HALF-COOKED CHICKEN MARINADED IN A PICKLE OF BROTH, MIXED WITH OIL,
TO WHICH IS ADDED A BUNCH OF DILL, LEEKS, SATURY AND GREEN CORIANDER.
FINISH IT IN THIS BROTH. WHEN DONE, TAKE THE CHICKEN OUT [2] DRESS IT
NICELY ON A DISH, POUR OVER THE [sauce, colored with] REDUCED MUST,
SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER AND SERVE.

[1] Named for a Roman by the name of Fronto. There is a
sucking pig a la Fronto, too. Cf. {Rx} No. 374. M.
Cornelius Fronto was orator and author during the reign
of Emperor Hadrian. According to Dann. a certain
Frontone under Emperor Severus.

[2] List., G.-V. _levabis_; Tor. _lavabis_, for which
there is little or no occasion. He may mean to clean,
i.e. remove skin, tissues, sinews, small bones, etc.

[247] CREAMED CHICKEN WITH PASTE [1]