To entertain you all, I shall post this lovely poem by Marge Piercy, which I find absolutely brilliant. I can hear my mother saying “you just do this, this and this” like it’s no big deal, as my eyes pop out of my head with uncomprehension (read the poem - you’ll get what I mean).

But in return, I ask for your assistance: Do we have instances in the Torah, Talmud or other esteemed texts of our tradition that contain RECIPES? I know there’s some stuff about taking various measures of flour to make cakes…but I wonder if y’all know about other instances? First responses get an apple cake (if I can make it right). Comment here or email me at anna@hazon.org.

Thanks!

Click here to read “My mother gives me her recipe,” by Marge Piercy:

My mother gives me her recipe
by Marge Piercy

Take some flour. Oh, I don’t know,
like two-three cups, and you cut
in the butter. Now some women
they make it with shortening,
but I say butter, even though
that means you had to have fish, see?

You cut up some apples. Not those
stupid sweet ones. Apples for the cake,
they have to have some bite, you know?
A little sour in the sweet, like love.
You slice them into little moons.
No, no! Like half or crescent
moons. You aren’t listening.

You mix sugar and cinnamon and cloves,
some women use allspice, till it’s dark
and you stir in the apples. You coat
every little moon. Did I say you add
milk? Oh, just till it feels right.
Use your hands. Milk in the cake part!

Then you pat it into a pan, I like
round ones, but who cares?
I forgot to say you add baking powder.
Did I forget a little lemon on the apples?
Then you just bake it. Well, till it’s done
of course. Did I remember you place
the apples in rows? You can make
a pattern, like a weave. It’s pretty
that way. I like things pretty.

It’s just a simple cake.
Any fool can make it
except your aunt. I
gave her the recipe
but she never
got it right.

Originally published in Calyx, Vol. 19, No. 1, Winter 1999-2000