Taste and See

Taste and see that the LORD is good…
Psalm 34:8a

Back in the summer when the tomatoes were heavy on the vines a very good friend (who is also an incredible cook) gave me a wonderful recipe. I am not sure where she found the original version, but I know that she and I both tweaked it to suit our own families. Isn’t that the way of all really good recipes? They lend themselves to change.

I washed the cherry and grape tomatoes: red, yellow and black. Left them whole, and I filled the casserole dish with them. Then I poured in olive oil. Rich and thick. Minced garlic next—the scent immediate and so recognizable. I added Italian seasonings until the tomatoes had freckles. Finally sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper. I stirred all these ingredients together making sure the tomatoes were coated. Then I popped them in the oven. Later this incredible aroma wafted through the kitchen into the den and I followed it. I couldn’t resist. I opened the oven door and stood above the opening so the scent would rise.

Later, when we were sitting at the dinner table I took my first bite. Oh my. I closed my eyes and took my second bite. Perhaps the pleasant aesthetic appearance had swayed me. The wonderful red against the creamy white of the goat cheese and the thick crusty French bread was quite lovely to me. (Don’t allow the goat cheese to hinder you from trying this recipe. I had never tried goat cheese before this, and the thought just wasn’t appealing. Little did I know.)

I took another bite. No. It tasted better than it looked.

I turned to my husband and very matter-of-factly said, “This is better than chocolate.”

My daughter chortled.

My husband’s reaction was priceless. Many of you know about the relationship I have with dark chocolate. There is little to rival it.

I had heard, read and used the word savor before, but in that moment I understood what it meant. I experienced it.

To savor. To enjoy immensely. To relish. To absorb the essence.

And so when the Psalmist says to us, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” I now understand. Savor the Lord he exhorts.  

Our Father wants us to savor our relationship with him. To enjoy it immensely. To relish every moment and aspect of it. To absorb the essence of him. He meant for us to enjoy him. Taste and see.

My friend, Alicia, gave me the recipe. She gave me tips. She even gave me a different variety of tomatoes to mix with mine. But the bottom line? I had to make the recipe in order to taste and see. Anything God calls me to do will follow this pattern. He will give me the recipe. He’ll give me everything I need in order to make it. But I have to actually do so. If I want to taste.

God asks me to take a risk. And the only thing I can think of at the moment is what will I lose? What will it cost? What will be said? Or unsaid? I won’t know the flavor of the risk until I take it. I won’t be given the provisions until I begin to mix in the bowl.

Life is about the savor. It is about the rich taste and see experiences. It is not read about it and surmise. It is not listen to someone else’s description and suppose. It is about you and me—tasting and seeing for ourselves. 

(My disclaimer: I am NOT a professional cook or chef (not at all Rachel Ray or Ree Drummond); I just like to spend time in the kitchen. I love new recipes, new foods. The recipes I share here will not be perfect, but they might be something different to help you out of the dinner rut—preparing the same things over and over. I get so frustrated during the dinner ruts. Don’t you?) 

Better than Chocolate Tomato Bruschetta

Adapted from Alicia Melton’s recipe (We give kudos to the originator of the recipe!)

Loaf of French bread, sliced thickly

Goat cheese, softened

A variety of cherry and grape tomatoes (You determine the number. They should completely cover the bottom of your dish, overlapping and a few on top.)

Olive oil

Italian seasoning—to taste

Minced garlic (fresh is best, but I have used minced jar garlic)

Sea salt and black pepper—to taste

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 ½ hours or until tomatoes split and crack.

Toast French bread slices in oven, then slather on the goat cheese. You want enough cheese to give the tomatoes a mortar of sorts. Mash the tomatoes slightly with the back of a spoon and then ladle them on your bread. Sometimes I have to eat this with a fork, but there is something wonderfully earthy about eating it with your hands.

Enjoy! 

(There will often be book recommendations on this Savor tab. Rarely ever do I endorse or embrace everything an author writes or teaches. I have many filters. Only the Scriptures hold an immovable, infallible place on my reading shelf. Period. But God can and will speak through others, because everyone has a different voice and style and perspective. Scripture instructs us to test all things. Be sure to follow this exhortation. God will make sure we hear his truth, if we are searching for it.)

Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist

If you haven’t read any of Shauna’s books then you should find one like yesterday. Get one online for your Nook or Kindle or order a real one—any of her titles would be worth your effort. Bittersweet and Bread & Wine are my particular favorites. Shauna has a wonderful, informal and easy writing style—like an unhurried conversation in the kitchen. She has a wonderfully refreshing self-effacing writing style: she’s transparent without being dramatic, and she’s funny without being ridiculous. Bread & Wine holds a spot on my Top Five Books of the Year for 2013.