A Taste of the Holy Land Volume I

The Biblical Cookbook

A.B Miller

A Taste of the Holy Land transforms Biblical narratives into authentic Middle Eastern recipes for your kitchen. From Jacob's lentil stew to Israel's festival breads, each dish connects you to the Old Testament through flavors, faith, and timeless stories. This isn't just a cookbook - it's a sensory journey through Scripture that brings Genesis to Nehemiah alive at your table.

A.B.miller. All rights reserved.

Experience the aromas and the stories.
Beyond a cookbook, it's a journey into the heart of the Bible.
Discover simple, soulful dishes that bridge the gap between biblical times
and your modern kitchen.

"And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom." Genesis 25:30

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Honey Cake
Lekach

Inspired by the Sweetness of God’s Word

"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness."
Ezekiel 3:1-3

What Happened:

While in exile in Babylon, the prophet Ezekiel received a series of visions from God. In one vision, God commanded him to eat a scroll filled with His words. Ezekiel obeyed, and though the message on the scroll foretold judgment for Israel, it tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth. This symbolic act demonstrated that Ezekiel had to take God’s Word deep into himself - internalizing it fully - before proclaiming it to the people.

Spiritual Message:

The Word of God is meant not only to be heard but to be internalized - taken into the very core of our being. Like sweet honey, God’s Word nourishes the soul and bringing strength. God's Word is inherently good and nourishing to the soul, even when its message is difficult. To share it faithfully with others, we must first let it transform us.

Holy Land Connection:

Though Ezekiel received this vision while in exile in Babylon, his vision carried him back to the people of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem. The scroll he ate bore words of judgment, bitter in their warning, yet sweet as honey in their divine origin. By consuming it, he was inwardly strengthened and made ready for his mission: to carry God’s message to His people.

Connection to Daily Life:

Ezekiel's experience challenges us to move beyond a superficial reading of scripture. It calls us to "eat" the Word of God - to meditate on it, to study it, and to internalize its truths so deeply that they become a part of who we are. It is a reminder that spiritual life begins with a personal and intimate consumption of God's words.

The beehives captured in these images rest on the slopes of the Mount of Beatitudes, the very site overlooking...▼
the Sea of Galilee where tradition holds Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. This abundant honey - a sacred provision mentioned as a hallmark of the Promised Land - forms the vital, sweet link between ancient Scripture and the recipe for our traditional Honey Cake.
Recipe: HONEY CAKE - LEKACH Ezekiel’s vision reflects the culture of his time, where eating something symbolized taking it deeply into oneself... ▼
Even today, in Jewish tradition, children beginning their Torah studies are sometimes given honey on letters to symbolize the sweetness of learning God’s Word. In Ezekiel’s vision, the prophet is asked to consume God’s message so deeply that it becomes part of him - not merely heard, but “eaten.” The sweetness he experiences symbolizes the joy of receiving God’s Word. This honey-spiced cake reflects that imagery: simple, comforting, and sweet, reminding us that spiritual truth nourishes the soul just as wholesome food nourishes the body. Honey cakes have been enjoyed throughout the ancient Near East for centuries. Honey - one of the earliest natural sweeteners - was treasured in biblical times, often symbolizing abundance and divine blessing: “a land flowing with milk and honey”. This recipe uses warm spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, echoing flavors common in ancient spice routes. The use of tea or coffee adds depth and moisture, while honey provides natural sweetness and tenderness. Honey cake is also traditionally served during Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah to welcome a “sweet new year.”

Timing

Timing
Preparation: 15 minutes
Baking: 60 minutes
Cooling: 30 minutes
Optional resting: 12-24 hours for deeper flavor
Total time: About 1 hour 45 minutes (plus optional resting)

Servings

Yields: 12–14 slices

Ingredients

• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup strong brewed tea cooled
• ½ cup Orange Juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp Orange Zest
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and pan2. Preheat oven to 325°F.3. Grease a 10-cup bundt pan (fill only ¾ full) or two 9×5-inch loaf pans with oil or cooking spray.4. Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, , salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until evenly blended.5. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, honey, cooled tea (or coffee), sugar, Orange Zest and eggs until smooth and fully incorporated.6. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until no dry pockets remain.7. Do not overmix - stop once the batter is uniform.8. Add walnuts (optional)9. Fold in the chopped walnuts with gentle, slow strokes.10. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s), smoothing the top with a spatula.11. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.12. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Cooking Tips

• For richer aroma, use dark honey.
• Letting the cake rest overnight wrapped in plastic enhances moisture and flavor.
• If using tea, choose black tea; for coffee, select strong brewed coffee for greater depth.

Serving Suggestion

Serve thin slices of the honey cake with hot tea or coffee, drizzled lightly with honey or dusted with powdered sugar. Present it during devotional time, small group gatherings, or family meals as a symbol of Ezekiel’s vision - an invitation to “taste” God’s Word and let its sweetness nourish the heart.

A.B. Miller’s Journey: From the Holy Land to Your Kitchen

A.B. Miller's journey began with a simple question: ▼
What stories hide behind the foods mentioned in the Bible? This curiosity led him from childhood Bible stories to years of traveling the landscapes of the Holy Land - walking through ancient olive groves and desert valleys where the patriarchs once journeyed. As a devoted husband and father of four, he discovered that cooking recipes inspired by Scripture brought the Word of God to life in his own home in ways he never expected.

But this journey isn't just his - it's an invitation to yours.

A.B. Miller has crafted this cookbook to help Christian families like yours experience the Bible through the heart of the home: the kitchen. Each recipe transforms biblical inspiration into modern, simple dishes that fit your busy life.

We are so honored to have you here, and we truly value your journey. Whether you have a question, a story to share, or feedback on a dish, we would love to hear from you.

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