Since biblical times, the Judeo-Christian lifestyle has centred on meals. Extending hospitality to both friends and strangers was a divine command, and an invitation to dine was sacred. The Bible is full of accounts of meals; from simple affairs 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 Bible, 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. In addition, the authors recount the lore of all the ingredients used in the book, detailing their origins, the history of their cultivation, their nutritional value, and their various uses.To set the scene for each meal, the book examines the scriptural text in detail, describes the background 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.