The intersection of faith and food has always been a fascinating area of exploration. Rena Rossner's "Eating the Bible: Biblical Inspiration for the Modern Kitchen" offers a unique approach to understanding the Bible by connecting its verses to modern meals. This cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it's an exploration of biblical texts, historical context, and culinary creativity.
Author's Background and Inspiration
Rena Rossner's "Eating the Bible" is a culinary journey that invites readers to bring the Bible into their modern meals and busy lives. Rossner’s goal extends beyond mere recipes, aiming to provide a versatile and modular experience. The cookbook can be experienced in-depth, offering reading material while preparing each recipe, which can then be shared with family and guests. It also provides shortcuts in the form of "Alternatives" and "Questions" at the end of each recipe.
Rossner explains her process of interpreting verses, commentaries, and questions, stating, “I had my own ways of interpreting the verse and its meaning; other times I would look up the verse and see if there were parallels in other books of the Old Testament like the earlier and later prophets and writings. But sometimes I would look up words and terms in a Bible Concordance, which at times led me to the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, and often to various Medieval, Renaissance, and modern commentators on those verses…every source that I mention in this cookbook has been checked and verified by scholars much more knowledgeable than me.”
Structure and Content
The cookbook is thoughtfully structured around the books of the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. A section on Biblical Ingredients and a Glossary are included to enrich the reader's understanding. Each chapter delves into specific verses, offering interpretations, historical context, and a corresponding recipe.
Biblical Ingredients
The section on Biblical ingredients lists foods and their mentions in the Bible, such as Almond (Genesis 43:11) and Cinnamon (Exodus 30:23).
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Glossary
The Glossary explains Sources Mentioned, Biblical Characters, and Places in the Bible. For instance, the Moabites were a tribe living east of the Dead Sea, and the shekel was an ancient piece of currency used especially to form the census.
Genesis
In the Genesis chapter, Rossner discusses the verse, “Your progeny…like the dust of the earth,” and gives us the recipe for her Earthy Seasoning. This seasoning enhances chicken, fish, or steak as you bake them. Rossner asks, “Why dust? Yes, the dust of the earth is plentiful, but what else is so special about it?” She answers, “Just like dust goes from one end of the earth to the other, so too will the Israelites be scattered all over the world.”
Exodus
The Exodus chapter includes the recipe for Fire and Ice Bruschetta, inspired by Exodus 9:14.
Exodus 9:14 and Fire and Ice Bruschetta
In verse 14, God tells Moses to tell Pharaoh that this time he is sending all of his plagues. However, God then proceeds to send the plague of hail. One commentator explains that here he is referring to the plague of the firstborn. But others explain that it is not the plague of the firstborn, but rather the plague of the first of the crops, which were almost completely devastated by the plague of hail. What was it about this plague that made it equivalent to all the other plagues?
One commentator opines that God refers to this plague as “all my plagues” because the type of hail sent included extremely loud thunder (or strong wind) and the miraculous combination of fire and ice, essentially a combination of all the elements. Indeed this is the first time that we see Pharaoh react in fear and even state, “God is righteous, and my nation and I are evil” (Exodus 9:27).
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Another commentator explains that this plague was unique because it consisted of a miracle within a miracle: the fire and the hail were mixed together, two elements which made peace between themselves to do the will of their creator. Additionally, according to another commentator, the first plagues caused no lasting damage, whereas hail was the first plague to do permanent damage to the land. This fiery storm destroyed the flax and barley (9:31), only to be followed by the plague of locusts which destroyed whatever was left. After these, the only plagues left were the plague of darkness and the plague of the firstborn. The plague of hail is really the beginning of the end for Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
The recipe for Fire and Ice Bruschetta is as follows:
Ingredients:
- 6 tomatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- ½ cup (120 mL) vinegar
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, or more to taste
- A few drops of Tabasco sauce or 1 seeded chili pepper, chopped very fine (optional)
- 1 baguette, sliced into thin rounds
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Cut tomatoes and onions and place in a bowl with a lid.
- Place remaining ingredients, except for baguette and olive oil, in a saucepan and bring to boil.
- Immediately pour over vegetables, shake up, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Brush baguette with olive oil and toast until crisp.
- Serve fire and ice tomato mixture spooned on top of toasted baguette rounds.
The recipe serves 4 - 6. Alternatives include serving ice-cold drinks and red-hot food, any cold salad that is spicy, Baked Alaska, or fried ice cream. Sprinkling cayenne pepper on top of vanilla ice cream or putting out a bowl of ice with some Tabasco sauce on the side are also suggested.
Numbers
In the Numbers chapter, the verse of the Bible, “And God opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you that you have struck me on these three occasions?’” leads to the recipe for Three-Bean Burritos. Rossner explains, “…Burro means donkey in Spanish, and the three beans represent the three blessings that Balaam gave the Israelites.”
Deuteronomy
After discussing a verse in Deuteronomy, “And he brought us to this place, and he gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey,” the author presents her recipe for the delectable Milk and Honey Kugel.
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Visual Appeal
The photographs in the cookbook are both beautiful and instructive. For example, when discussing the gifts and parcels that Jacob plans to send to Pharaoh along with Benjamin, his son, Rossner includes detailed and colorful photos on how to assemble the scrumptious Pistachio Almond Chicken Packets.
Recipes and Interpretations
Each recipe is accompanied by a discussion of the relevant biblical verse, offering readers a deeper understanding of the text and its historical context. Rossner often includes interpretations from various commentators, providing a comprehensive view of the verse's meaning.
Audience and Accessibility
"Eating the Bible" is accessible to a wide audience, from those with a casual interest in cooking to serious scholars of the Bible. The recipes are generally easy to follow, and the explanations are clear and concise. The book also includes alternatives and questions to encourage further exploration and discussion.
Overall Assessment
"Eating the Bible" is a well-researched and thoughtfully written cookbook that offers a unique perspective on the Bible. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of faith, food, and history. The book's structure, content, and visual appeal make it a delightful and informative read.
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