Seneca

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, traditionally known as Seneca the Younger, was one of the best-known of Stoic philosophers. He was the son of Marcus Annaeus Seneca, a Roman historian and rhetorician, who was also known as Seneca the Elder, and brother to that proconsul of Achaea, Gallio, who is said to have impartially judged the charges of insurrection brought against the Apostle Paul by the Jews of Corinth (Acts 18: 12-17).

The Seneca family came from the city of Corduba (modern Cordoba) in the province of Baetica in Spain, which was one of the wealthiest provinces in the Roman Empire. The family is thought to have moved from Spain to Rome when Seneca was still a child.

Recipe for Home-made Burger Patties.

A cheeseburger may not be everyone's idea of a healthy meal, but if you do make your own burger patties, you can not only control what actually goes into them, but also cook them on a grill to reduce the amount of fat that you eventually consume.

Tomato, Lentil and Bacon Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 5 stalks of dried cloves
• 1 onion, chopped up
• 1 chilli, chopped up
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped up
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 300g cooking bacon, chopped up
• 300g fresh tomatoes, chopped up
• 200g red lentils
• 400ml water

 

Preparation method

 

1. Heat up the olive oil in a sauce pan. Add the cumin seeds and dried cloves and fry till they begin to crackle.
2. Throw in the chopped onion and cook until it is browned. Then add the garlic, chilli and basil and cook for another one minute.
3. Add the bacon and cook till it is nearly done.
4. Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a further two minutes.
5. Put the lentils and water in a separate pot, bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Then add the lentils and water to the cooked bacon and tomatoes, and continue to cook for another 20 minutes.
6. Allow the soup to cool, then liquidise with a hand blender or food mixer.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve with crusty bread.