One of my biggest pet peeves of Food Blogs is the lengthy story that precedes the recipes…  the relationship the writer has with each ingredient, the explanation as to why this recipe is their new favorite why it is certain to be the… Next. Best. Thing. Not to mention the copious amount of photos.

You won’t find that here. Recipe first. Story below. Here goes…

 

PARADISE GARDEN SALAD

– Inspired by Song of Songs –

 

“I have come to you, my darling bride, for you are my paradise garden.

What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.”

– The Bridegroom King –

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BASE:

Mixed greens and arugula

 

TOPPINGS

Goat Cheese

Figs

Apricots

Pomegranate seeds

Grapes

(Use your judgment on the amount of each. Make it yours. Own it.)

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WILDFLOWER HONEY VINAIGRETTE (from Anne @ A Salad for All Seasons.com)

Serves: 1 CUP

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup of white wine vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons of finely chopped shallots
• 3 Tablespoons of wildflower honey
• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Whisk to combine, adjust to taste. Place all the ingredients in a rounded bowl* and give it a good toss. 

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Now for the story. The following is a description of how each ingredient is inspired by the Song of Songs, with footnotes by The Passion Translation.

*Rounded Bowl

 7:2 “Your navel is a rounded bowl that never lacks mixed wine.”

Passion Translation: “Out of your innermost being is flowing the fullness of my Spirit— never failing to satisfy. Within your womb there is a birthing of harvest wheat; they are the sons and daughters nurtured by the purity you impart. How gracious you have become!”

 

Song of Song ingredients:

 

Goat (cheese)

4:1 “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.”

Passion Translation: There is great symbolism in this verse. Hair is a symbol of our devotion to Christ. Mount Gilead (“hill of testimony”) is where the best sacrificial animals were kept in preparation for temple sacrifices. So, a goat coming down Mount Gilead was a sacrifice ready to be offered.

 

Figs

2:13 “The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.”

Passion Translation:  In the language of allegory, the fig tree is a picture of destiny and purpose. The sign of a fig tree blooming is the sign of an early spring, a new season.

 

Apricots

2:5 “Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apricots, for I am lovesick.”

7:8 “I said ‘I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like the clusters of grapes, and the fragrance of your breath like apricots.

Passion Translation: These are the sweet promises of grace that sustain us.

 

Pomegranate and Cinnamon

4:13 “Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nards, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices.”

Passion Translation: Pomegranates were engraved on the tops of the pillars of Solomon’s temple and were also sewn into the hem of the robes of the high priest. They speak of our open hearts of love, filled with passion for him. The Hebrew word for “pomegranate” is ramam, a homonym that means “to rise up.” Pomegranates were also placed on the hem of the robe of the high priest, interspersed with golden bells.

Cinnamon emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. It was used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and the tabernacle.

 

Grapes

7:7-9 This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes. I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;

Passion Translation: You stand in victory above the rest stately and secure as you share with me your vineyard of love. Now I decree, I will ascend and arise. I will take hold of you with my power, possessing every part of my fruitful bride. Your love I will drink as wine, and your words will be mine.

 

Honey

4:11 “Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue.”

“Your loving words are like the honeycomb to me; your tongue releases milk and honey, for I find the Promised Land flowing within you.” – Both the Promised Land and your heart flow with milk and honey. You have become the Promised Land of Jesus Christ.

 

Oil

1:3 “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, you name is like purified oil; therefore, the maidens love you.”

“Flowing Oil” – The Hebrew contains a wordplay with the words “name” (shem) and “oil” (shemen).     

 

Arugula (bitter herb)

Exodus 12:8 “They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.”

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Some fun for the “literal-ists” among us: