Parsha Inspired Menus - Lech Lecha
While I usually find two different ideas/pasukim/sections in the Torah portion to use in my #parshainspiredmenus, this will be the second week in a row where one idea has so many possible foods that I'm just sticking with the one element to share/explain/highlight.
This week in what is, admitedly, a parsha jam-packed with action and familiar stories (and some less familiar ones), there was one pasuk and it's phrasing that I hadn't really noticed before and wanted to explore further. This in the midst of a moment when God comes to Avraham and speaks to him saying that Avraham should not fear because God will be a shield to Avraham (source of Magen Avraham in the amidah), Avraham is promised that his descendents will be as numerous as the stars and then God and Avraham have a convenental moment and sacrifice. Then the Torah tells us
וַיְהִ֤י הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ לָב֔וֹא וְתַרְדֵּמָ֖ה נָפְלָ֣ה עַל־אַבְרָ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵימָ֛ה חֲשֵׁכָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה נֹפֶ֥לֶת עָלָֽיו׃
As the sun was about to set, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great dark dread descended upon him."
Several commentators and midrashic texts explain that this line is a reference to the four exiles
that Avraham's descendents will face, assigning each exile to a part of the verse:
Darkness (Chasheikhah) corresponds to Babylon.
Dread (Eimah) corresponds to Persia.
Great (Gedolah) corresponds to Greece.
Falling upon him (Nofeles alav) corresponds to the fourth exile, Rome.
It's a challenging position for Avraham. He doesn't have any children at this point in the story, but is also being told that when he does have children they will inherit all that is his, but then down the line those descendents will face terrible hardship. Avraham does not push back on this proclamation, perhaps because of the second part of the revelation that God shares "I will execute judgment on the nation they shall serve, and in the end they shall go free with great wealth." Is that a good enough reason not to protest the plan? I'm not sure, but it's a great topic for Shabbat dinner table conversation!
The interpretation of the 4 exiles embedded in this line means that you can make anything in the style of any of these 4 conquering empires.
Here are a few suggestions:
Greece - Greek Garlic Lemon Chicken a la Simeon (recipe below).
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
Greek Garlic Lemon Chicken a la Simeon
Ingredients
• 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
• 2–3 potatoes, cut into wedges (optional)
• ½ cup water or chicken broth
Instructions
1 Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2 Make marinade by mixing olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3 Prepare chicken & potatoes
◦ Place chicken skin-side up in a baking dish.
◦ Add potatoes around the chicken.
◦ Pour marinade over everything.
4 Add liquid
◦ Pour water or broth into the bottom of the dish.
5 Roast
◦ Bake for 45–60 minutes.
◦ Baste once or twice.
◦ Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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