Synopses & Reviews
Cooking with the Bible provides a feast for the body, mind, and spirit, introducing contemporary cooks to recipes for eighteen meals described in the Judeo-Christian bible. Each chapter begins with the menu for a biblical feast, followed by a brief essay describing the theological, historical, and cultural significance of the feast. Next are separate recipes for the dishes served in the meal, followed by more commentary on the dish itself, preparation methods used in biblical times, and how the dish was served.
Since biblical times, the Judeo-Christian lifestyle has centered on meals. Extending hospitality to both friends and strangers was a divine command, and an invitation to dine was sacred. The Judeo-Christian bible is peppered with stories of meals; these range from simple meals put together quickly in order to feed a few unexpected guests, to elaborate feasts carefully prepared to please dozens of partygoers for many days. Cooking with the Bible looks at eighteen of these meals found in the Scriptures, providing full menus and recipes for re-creating some of the dishes enjoyed by the peoples of biblical times. While describing how ancient cooks prepared their foods, Cooking with the Bible also explains how contemporary cooks might use modern techniques and appliances to prepare each of the eighteen meals. To set the scene for each meal, the book examines the scriptural text in detail, describes the backstory for each, and, in the process, traces Judeo-Christian history from the ancient city of Ur to the lands of Egypt to the holy city of Jerusalem. Along the way, the reader will learn about the history of the bible itself. In the Middle East, eating was not and is not for daily sustenance alone—it is a way of life, and Cooking with the Bible reflects that reality, providing multiple feasts for the body, mind, and spirit. More information is available at: www.cookingwiththebible.com.
Each chapter begins with the menu for a biblical feast. A brief essay describing the theological, historical, and cultural significance of the feast follows. Next come separate recipes for the dishes served in the meal, followed by more commentary on the dish itself, preparation methods used in biblical times, and how the dish was served. Recipes for a wide variety of breads, stews, rice and lentil dishes, lamb, goat, fish and venison meals, vegetable salads and cakes are detailed, all of them carefully tested. Make delicious dishes such as Rice of Beersheba, Rebekah's Tasty Lamb Stew, Date and Walnut Bread, Ful Madames and Scrambled Eggs, Pistachio Crusted Sole, Bamya, Goat's Milk and Pomegranate Syrup Torte, Haroset a la Greque, Pesach Black Bread, Watermelon Soup with Ginger and Mint, Date Manna Bread, Oven-baked Perch with Tahini, Braided Challah with Poppy Seeds and Lemon, and Friendship Cake.
Review
"A reprint from 2006, this volume presents recipes and complete menus for 18 meals from the Bible, 16 of which are for dinner. Meals range from Passover to the story of Joseph dining with his brothers and King David's nuptials. Each chapter has a menu, biblical text and notes on the passage, essay describing its theological, historical, and cultural significance, and specific recipes, with discussion of preparation and serving in biblical times, and recipes for modern dishes using ingredients that play on the theme of the chapter. B&W photos are included. Chiffolo is an author and editorial director, and Hesse is an author, chef, biblical scholar and ordained Episcopal priest." - Reference & Research Book News
Synopsis
Cooking with the Bible provides a feast for the body, mind, and spirit, introducing contemporary cooks to recipes for eighteen meals described in the Judeo-Christian bible.
About the Author
ANTHONY F. CHIFFOLO, Editorial Director of Praeger Publishers and Praeger Security International, is the author of 100 Names of Mary: Stories and Prayers, Advent and Christmas Wisdom with Padre Pio, Advent and Christmas with the Saints, Be Mindful of Us: Prayers to the Saints, and the compiler/editor of Padre Pio: In My Own Words, Pope John Paul II: In My Own Words, Pope John XXIII: In My Own Words, and At Prayer with the Saints. He is the co-author, with Rayner W. Hesse, Jr., of We Thank You, God, For These: Blessings and Prayers for Family Pets.RAYNER W. HESSE JR. is the author, with Anthony F. Chiffolo, of We Thank You, God, For These: Blessings and Prayers for Family Pets. A graduate of both Union Theological Seminary and The General Theological Seminary in New York, he most recently completed his doctoral work (D. Min.) in liturgy and philosophy of religion at New York Theological Seminary. An accomplished chef and biblical scholar, Fr. Hesse is an ordained Episcopal priest serving a parish in New Rochelle, New York. He is also the author of Jewelrymaking through History: An Encyclopedia (Greenwood, 2007).
Table of Contents
Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
The Meals
Entertaining Angels Unaware
A Birthright Worth Beans
All for a Father's Blessing
Joseph Dines with His Brothers
A Passover Meal
By the Numbers
The Reaper's Meal
Abigail Cooks to Appease
King David's Nuptials
The Lovers in the Garden
Elisha Cooks Masterfully at Gilgal
Dinner with the Governor
Esther Saves Her People
A Meal in the Wilderness
The Prodigal Son Returns
Jesus Dines with the Pharisee
The Wedding Feast at Cana
A Galilean Breakfast
Appendix
Bibliography