Advent Day 22: Meat Pies

Little things can be huge to another person.  Today's recipe reminds us that we don't have to be fancy, or have fancy ingredients, to create a filling, relatively healthy (well, there's lots of protein) dish without a lot of ingredients or effort.  What is offered more than food is the hospitality of caring for others. 

We all know of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus.  What we often see in the Bible is Martha working to care for guests, ensuring dinner is prepared, rooms made up, everyone has something to drink.  Many of us know Marthas in our lives, and perhaps those who are looking at recipes for Advent might recognize themselves in Martha.  Without someone working behind the scenes, making sure that things go smoothly, ensuring cranky little ones are put down for naps or otherwise occupied, giving anyone with idle hands a job and purpose - we'd get very little done.  Christ acknowledges Martha's contributions in Luke 10, but admonishes her that everyone contributes in different ways.  Mary's fascination with His words and curious questions help to keep people learning the lessons He wants them to learn.  In John 12:2, "There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him."  This allows Martha to realize that each person has different gifts and capacities - one of her gifts is hospitality, and her heart is light, knowing that she, too, contributes.

HEIDENISCHE KUCHEN

(Misnamed "Heathen Cakes" from

Ein Büch von Güter Speise, 14th Century)

One of the interesting things about this recipe is that it has nothing to do with cake.  This would be better described as a meat pie, as you will see when you make it.  From personal experience, I can tell you that this is very popular when served at a wedding or large gathering.  As with all Medieval recipes, interpretation is fairly sketchy (the literal interpretation of the recipe here is:  "These are called heathen cakes. One should take a dough and should spread it thin and take a boiled meat and chopped fatty bacon and apples and pepper and eggs therein and bake that and give out and do not damage."), so substitutions, additions, alterations, etc. are encouraged.

INGREDIENTS

• Pastry Crust Bottom (leaving that up to you, whether you need regular or gluten free, make your favorite pie crust)
• 1 1/2 lb beef
• 1/4 lb. side of pork or fresh bacon
• 1 apple
• 1/2 tsp grated peppercorns
• 2 eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Line pie tin with pastry dough. 
2. Roast beef for 1 hour. 
3. Cook bacon at the same time. 
4. Chop cooked bacon. Cut beef into bite-sized pieces.
5. Mix bacon and beef together, then layer into bottom of pie tin. 
6. Sprinkle pepper over the meat. 
7. Slice an apple and layer onto the meat. 
8. Beat two eggs, then pour over everything. 
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, or until it appears done. 
10. Serve warm. Makes 1 pie.