Read Their Last Suppers: Legends of History and Their Final Meals for Free Online

theatrical gestures of reconciliation and yet another wild banquet, he decided to spend some time reorganizing his empire while his weary troops relaxed and regained their strength and appetite to follow him east for even more conquests.
    Unknowingly, Alexander had contracted a form of malaria on the Indian campaign, and although he was only 32, his body had been severely ravaged by more than 15 years of warfare, many serious wounds, and the debauched lifestyle he was committed to.
    Although racked by sweats and chills, he allowed his old friend Medius to organize yet another party for him at Babylon in 323 B.C., an event he did not survive. Three days of feasting and drinking took its toll on his weakened frame, and he died in the middle of the night as his loyal troops walked past him in tears, saluting him. His army loved him to the end.
    He had led a small force on an unprecedented conquest of the known world, walking thousands of miles into the unknown, and with brilliance, audacity, and the power of his will alone had created one of the biggest empires the world had ever seen. Within months of his death, however, it was already reverting to its original statesbecause he had left no heirs, and his generals squabbled for power, cutting out pieces of the empire for themselves.
    Alexander’s embalmed corpse was somehow hijacked by his veteran troops while en route to Macedonia. It was displayed in a glass case for almost 550 years in his first city of Alexandria before disappearing from history forever.
    MENUS
     
    From an early age, Alexander was brought up to be a soldier and never forgot the staples served at his father’s royal court: seafood, lamb, kid, fowl, and fruits. As he grew up, his partying became legendary, with drinking and eating feasts that sometimes went on for days, although throughout his life he maintained a youthful figure. Delicacies from all over the world were available to him, but he still preferred the ancient Greek and Macedonian recipes of his childhood.

Menu
     
    Fired Seafood with Mango and Pepper Relish
     
    Honey-Glazed Lamb
     
    Braised Goat with Leeks and Mushrooms
     
    Swordfish with Sweet and Sour Sauce and Crushed Mulberries
     
    Sardinian Lobster
     
    Figs with Honey and Wine
     

Fired Seafood with Mango and Pepper Relish
     
    4 oz extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp chopped garlic
24 mussels, cooked covered on the grill for about 8 to 10 minutes
4 large shelled scallops
1 large cooked crab with the shell and claws cracked
4 medium-sized squid, cleaned and cut into bite-size pieces
thin strips of lemon and lime for garnish
fresh rosemary or basil to garnish
     
Cook the squid and scallops on a barbecue grill for about 4 to 5 minutes each side, covered, so the smoke can penetrate the fish.
Add the mussels and crab, then combine all the seafood on a large platter. Sprinkle with olive oil and chopped garlic.
Serve with a mango and pepper relish, and garnish with lemon and lime strips.

Mango and Pepper Relish
     
    3 oz butter
3 finely chopped garlic cloves
1 medium chopped onion
1 tbsp thinly sliced ginger
½ tbsp green chili
½ red pepper, roasted, peeled, and finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 large mango or pawpaw, peeled, stoned, and diced juice of one lime
2 tbsp shredded fresh mint
     
Mix the onion, green chili, and garlic, then add the red pepper, olive oil, diced mango, and lime juice.
Melt the butter and stir in ginger and garlic.
Combine all the ingredients, chill, and serve.

Honey-Glazed Lamb
     
    1 large leg of lamb
2 tbsp clear honey
juice of one lemon
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
1 tbsp sesame seeds
sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste
     
Rub the lamb thoroughly with all other ingredients, then cover with foil and leave for 2 to 3 hours.
Roast at 400°F for about 2 hours, basting with honey every 30 minutes.
Let rest for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Braised Goat with Leeks and Mushrooms
     
    Kid or goat is a low-fat item. Goat should be about 1 year old.