An Introduction to Ancient Mediterranean Food: Foods from the Time of Jesus

I have always been a digger of dirt, and as a child participated in gardening from planting to reaping. From a young age I caught onto the enjoyment of preparing and presenting food, the gift of hospitality was practically in my DNA. Always curious, I wondered where things came from, how the seed sprouted and produced, and how the grain and the gift of our daily bread was created.

But, why would I want to write about something of such an ancient nature, about a country I have never traveled, and narrow the niche by using the name of Jesus?

As a Christian woman, the symbol of bread as the body of Christ in Communion was of essence. So, why not delve into the world of ancient Mediterranean foods from the time of Jesus? The "curious child" in me craved more information, and the personal chef in me wanted to imagine, study, recreate, and offer others the opportunity to break bread and share the wine from the days of Christ.

I found few books on the subject matter, and those I did offered little to my taste. I did my own research and put recipes together that reflected what would have been consumed in ancient mediterranean times.

I started this blog to try to keep as true as I know to what existed. To keep the Kosher rules of not mixing dairy with meat, but I also have taken the liberty of adding some current items. Such examples as lime juice, instead of citron, canola oil for baking sweets, instead of olive oil, and a few other things to make your senses perk. These recipes were designed for you to enjoy the wonderful world of foods from 2000 years ago in Israel. So come, bring your curious nature, and bake bread beside me, while we share the feast of our Lord.