How can I cook chicken in a similar way to how it was done in Biblical times?

Question

I want to make a historically accurate biblical meal for a group. I'm using chicken, and serving it with flatbread and an Israeli salad (sans tomatoes and other new world vegetables)

Does anyone have a recipe for a historical barbecue chicken or an idea of what sorts of spices were used back then?

edit: Just thought I'd let you guys know

I marinated the chicken in a mixture of rosemary, thyme, oregano, toasted sesame, garlic, salt and a bit of mint/pepper overnight. Then put them on skewers. Maybe not 100% authentic, but tasty.

The real question - how rich were the people of the time you're trying to imitate? — rfusca, Apr 18 '12 at 00:55
Take the chicken to the temple, Burn the fatty portions on the altar, and eat the rest. — Chris Cudmore, Apr 25 '12 at 20:21

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 16 '20 at 11:14

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McCormick Science Institute: History of Spices:

Papyri from Ancient Egypt in 1555 BCE classified coriander, fennel, juniper, cumin, garlic, and thyme as health-promoting spices (3). Records from that time also note that laborers who constructed the Great Pyramid of Cheops consumed onion and garlic as a means to promote health.

The Spice Encyclopedia at Spice Advice appears to give history / origins for a large selection of spices.

edited Apr 16 '20 at 11:14

Michael

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answered Apr 17 '12 at 23:20

Wayfaring Stranger

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Thanks, that spice encyclopedia looks good. I know that spices were super expensive back then, but I want just a reasonable approximation. A real style meal would proabbly have all the meat boiled, which is not...good. – Daniel Chui Apr 18 '12 at 22:15

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 17 '12 at 21:59

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Chicken, heat, oil, salt, honey if you feel a need for sweetness. Spices were rare and expensive in biblical times, with even black pepper being used a commodity for gifts between nations.

answered Apr 17 '12 at 21:59

Dave Griffith

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Perhaps authentic but not much fun. Surely lemon would have been common as well as mediterranean herbs such as rosemary or oregano. – Sobachatina Apr 17 '12 at 22:02
@Sobachatina probably not lemon; that's an asian plant, which wasn't introduced into west asia until after the biblical era cf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon#History – Vince Bowdren Apr 16 '20 at 12:54
The honey would probably be date honey, not what we call honey. – Damila Apr 17 '20 at 05:02

How can I cook chicken in a similar way to how it was done in Biblical times?

2 Answers2