Soul Food

Behold, I make all things new. ~ Revelation 21:5

In the early years of my marriage, I became passionate, possibly obsessed, with cooking. I came from a long line of good cooks in a family whose love language was food. My call to the kitchen was clear from an early age and was reinforced when I married a man who would readily admit that the way to his heart was through his stomach. We were a good match with me the ready cooking student and he the willing guinea pig.

I was ravenous for new and different recipes, so I subscribed to Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and Food & Wine magazines. I cooked my way through every issue every month. Just about the time I had exhausted the current monthly supply, fresh pages of recipes would arrive in my mailbox for me to tackle and Bob to consume. My pantry bears witness to the fact that no hard-to-find equipment or ingredient could keep me from my quest. Among other things, a lamb-shaped pan and over 20 varieties of vinegar stand to testify that I was a woman on a mission.

The extent of my fervor to discover new culinary adventures is probably best described in the following exchange. It was a typical weeknight at our dinner table where a never-before-experienced dish awaited my husband. Barely able to contain myself, I let Bob take a few bites before I asked the inevitable question, “What do you think about the recipe?” With a look that contained more than a hint of mischief, he replied, “It’s really good, Kathy, but will I ever see it again?” Bob’s response, as cute as it was, made me stop and evaluate my approach to feeding my family. It had never occurred to me that anyone would get tired of something new all the time.

Not long after that, the cover of Food & Wine featured a recipe called “No Apologies Meatloaf.” Though a far cry from new and different, I was intrigued. It was hard for me to imagine why one wouldn’t feel the need to apologize for something as old-fashioned and humdrum as meatloaf. The whole idea was so thought provoking that I headed directly to the grocery, magazine in hand, to purchase meatloaf ingredients. The recipe delivered on its name—there was no need to apologize when you put this dish on the table. It was a killer meatloaf that got rave reviews and was quickly devoured by my family. In fact, after all these years, meatloaf ranks high on the list when my college-age kids, home for the weekend, put in their requests for Mom’s cooking.

As grateful as I was for another winning recipe to add to my repertoire, the discovery of No Apologies Meatloaf led me beyond cooking to a deeper truth. A realization began to dawn on me that there is something very appealing about familiarity and repetition. There’s comfort to be had in knowing what to expect. In the predictable, we find relief for frayed nerves brought on by days full of uncertainty. Even something as seemingly insignificant as a meatloaf can reassure us that we are safe and loved.

In Ecclesiastes 1:9, wise King Solomon records something he discovered in his search for new and exciting experiences, “There is nothing new under the sun.”  He tasted the best the world has to offer and found that those things would eventually become stale and boring. After his many attempts to find pleasure and meaning, he concluded that our hearts were designed with eternity in mind. Each of us is designed with an internal homing signal intended to draw us to the only One who can say, “I make all things new.”

When we choose to include Jesus in even the most mundane aspects of our lives, He infuses them with just the right amounts of newness and familiarity that we need. He remains the same, providing us with a sure foundation. At the same time, He renews us with His daily portions of love, mercy, grace and truth that are brand new every morning. He satisfies us more than the richest feast. As I’ve learned to come to God, to include Him in the mix, I’ve seen His transforming presence take what is ordinary and make it extraordinary. And only Jesus is able make our everyday routines and responsibilities into something that can be offered to others without apology!

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” ~ Rom. 12:1-2 Msg

RECIPE: NO APOLOGIES MEATLOAF

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
½ cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon dried thyme
¾ to 1 cup ketchup, divided
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
1½ teaspoons ground black pepper
2 pounds ground sirloin
½ cup old-fashioned oats
5 or 6 slices of bacon, halved

Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, cook the onion, bell pepper, celery and thyme in the butter over low heat until the vegetables are very soft. (I do this step in the microwave). Cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 c. of the ketchup, eggs, salt and pepper. Add the beef, oats, and the cooked vegetables, mixing well. Spoon the mixture onto a greased roasting pan. Form the meat into 2 flat loaves about 2 inches high. Smooth the surface and spread with a generous coating of ketchup. Top with bacon slices.  Bake for one hour or until meat thermometer registers 145 degrees. Let stand about 10 minutes before slicing. This recipe is gluten-free, even better the second day, and freezes well.

Adapted from Food & Wine, February 1989