For the last few weeks, I've tried my hand at making sushi. Now, I'm not mentioning this in order to impress you, because you really have no reason to be impressed. You see, sushi can be thought of in two different ways: the first as food, the second as art. As food - meaning selecting the ingredients, the technique of rolling the sushi, etc. - it's incredibly easy to make. So the fact that I can do that shouldn't impress you because, frankly, if I can do it, anyone can. But sushi as art . . . . that's a different story. In terms of balance of flavor, presentation on the plate, and colors . . . well, let's just say that if you ordered a plate of sushi at a restaurant and they set my plate in front of you, you'd demand a refund.
So making sushi that tastes good . . . well, anyone can do that. When it comes to making sushi that is an experience, however, I failed horribly. Therefore, when I say that sushi is easy to make, I am in no way belittling the professionals who make it for a living. They train for years at it, and their expertise shows. It is a difficult thing to perfect, but is, nonetheless, an easy dinner to make. More than that, though, it is also much, much cheaper than going to a restaurant. It's even cheaper than going to the grocery store and buying from the little sushi stands that are in most of the major chains these days (you know the ones I'm talking about: the ones staffed by people who
look authentically Japanese, who don't even seem like they speak English, until you catch them talking on their phones outside as you leave the
store, swearing like sailors in thick New York accents). And my motto, at least when it comes to food, is that if I can do it for cheaper with almost as good of a flavor, then why spend the extra money?
Now, a word about saving money. I don't do it because I'm cheap, but I do it because, as people of God, we're called to be good stewards of our money. This does not mean that we give a whole bunch to the church, and then go out and spend whatever we want on ourselves. The funny thing about generosity from God's point of view isn't really based on how much we give, but on how little is left over when we're done. Check out Mark 12:
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on" (41-44).
The first-century church, whenever they saw a need, would sell off some of their possessions in order to give the money to the poor (Acts 2:45; 3:33-35). God doesn't seem to be so much concerned with amount given, as He is the amount wasted. So when I look at something like sushi, I have to wonder if maybe, just maybe, making it at home is a more Biblical idea.
I'm not saying that buying food is wrong - after all, Jesus sent His disciples to go buy food on more than one occasion. I'm not even saying that for you, personally, going out to a Japanese restaurant and ordering sushi is necessarily wrong. I'm just saying that I could go to a fancy restaurant and spend $20-$25 on a sushi dinner for my family, I could go to the grocery store and spend $15 on a sushi dinner for my family, or I could make it at home for $5. Seriously. My grocery bill for a California roll dinner runs about $5.30, depending on how much rice I use. And that's not per person, that's total (though the price will obviously go up if I ever get brave enough to add fish to the menu).
Now, is it wrong to go out to eat? Should all Christians stop going out to eat, and hole up at home all day, every day? Again, not what I'm saying. Going out to eat is a fantastic way to make connections and build Gospel-centered relationships. What I'm saying is that, if you find yourself unable to help out the people around you - and, just as important, unable to give to your church - then maybe you should buy a bamboo rolling mat (called a sudare, if anyone's interested) and a couple of rice paddles, and learn to make your own sushi.
Because, trust me, it can't be any worse than mine.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Yen-chung, The Fire God
The Chinese tell a story that is really interesting. It goes as follows:
Yen-chung Hsien the priest did not divert from his Toaist ways. He resided on the island of Huo-Lung, which is called the "Island of the Fire Dragon." He had a long red beard, and his red hair was shaped into the image of a fish tail. His ruddy complexion and round face made him an amiable-looking priest, and the villagers crossed the waters to the island just to see him.
One day, a terrible war came to the land, and the son of the Emperor called all men to his service. In the midst of the battle, Yen-chung suddenly grew larger. He grew two extra heads, and four extra arms. His horse stamped its feet and flames flew from its nostrils. In each of his six arms, the terrible giant held weapons and magical devices. In one hand, he held the great wheel of the five fire-dragons. In two hands, he held two great swords, which floated above his outstretched palms. In another hand, he held the powerful discus, engraved with the images of earth and the heavens. In his fifth hand he held a gourd in which rustled the ten-thousand fire-crows. In his sixth hand was a column of smoke, and in the smoke were great and terrible swords of fire.
From this moment, Yen-chung Hsien was known as Lo Hsuan.
One of the most beloved of stories in Hindu mythology is that of The Great Goddess. The summary of the story is that the gods were at war with a great host of demons and were unable to defeat them. So, in the midst of battle, they combined all of their life forces and created the Great Goddess. Endowed with three eyes and numerous hands, she held such things as swords, lightning, a conch shell, and a discus. She rode a lion, given to her by the Himalayan Mountains, and towered above all.
Sounds like a Hindu version of what we just read, doesn't it? But how can this be? How can unrelated and unconnected cultures have the same mythology? They do so because cultures in the ancient world spread. It's the essence of Telephone Mythology - that a central culture spread throughout the world, and that each new culture gives birth to subcultures. In turn, many of these subcultures develop into entirely new cultures.
Each new culture, naturally, creates its own history (either real or imaginary), but it also carries with it portions of its parent history. I believe what we are witnessing here is the direct result of one culture developing out of a different culture.
This idea has been around for ages, of course. In fact, any student of (or even anyone with a passing interest in) anthropology and history knows this. What interests me, however, is whether or not this phenomenon has ever happened on a broader scale and, if so, what caused it. What would cause a group of people - people who have the same stories and mythology, the same religious beliefs, the same worldviews - to begin changing and altering those views, giving rise to entirely new and completely different cultures? In other words, what prompted the very first village to evolve into two completely opposite villages?
This is an idea that we'll explore more in the future. For now, what do you think?
Yen-chung Hsien the priest did not divert from his Toaist ways. He resided on the island of Huo-Lung, which is called the "Island of the Fire Dragon." He had a long red beard, and his red hair was shaped into the image of a fish tail. His ruddy complexion and round face made him an amiable-looking priest, and the villagers crossed the waters to the island just to see him.
One day, a terrible war came to the land, and the son of the Emperor called all men to his service. In the midst of the battle, Yen-chung suddenly grew larger. He grew two extra heads, and four extra arms. His horse stamped its feet and flames flew from its nostrils. In each of his six arms, the terrible giant held weapons and magical devices. In one hand, he held the great wheel of the five fire-dragons. In two hands, he held two great swords, which floated above his outstretched palms. In another hand, he held the powerful discus, engraved with the images of earth and the heavens. In his fifth hand he held a gourd in which rustled the ten-thousand fire-crows. In his sixth hand was a column of smoke, and in the smoke were great and terrible swords of fire.
From this moment, Yen-chung Hsien was known as Lo Hsuan.
One of the most beloved of stories in Hindu mythology is that of The Great Goddess. The summary of the story is that the gods were at war with a great host of demons and were unable to defeat them. So, in the midst of battle, they combined all of their life forces and created the Great Goddess. Endowed with three eyes and numerous hands, she held such things as swords, lightning, a conch shell, and a discus. She rode a lion, given to her by the Himalayan Mountains, and towered above all.
Sounds like a Hindu version of what we just read, doesn't it? But how can this be? How can unrelated and unconnected cultures have the same mythology? They do so because cultures in the ancient world spread. It's the essence of Telephone Mythology - that a central culture spread throughout the world, and that each new culture gives birth to subcultures. In turn, many of these subcultures develop into entirely new cultures.
Each new culture, naturally, creates its own history (either real or imaginary), but it also carries with it portions of its parent history. I believe what we are witnessing here is the direct result of one culture developing out of a different culture.
This idea has been around for ages, of course. In fact, any student of (or even anyone with a passing interest in) anthropology and history knows this. What interests me, however, is whether or not this phenomenon has ever happened on a broader scale and, if so, what caused it. What would cause a group of people - people who have the same stories and mythology, the same religious beliefs, the same worldviews - to begin changing and altering those views, giving rise to entirely new and completely different cultures? In other words, what prompted the very first village to evolve into two completely opposite villages?
This is an idea that we'll explore more in the future. For now, what do you think?
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Baked Panzanella
Panzanella, Italian for "Bread Salad," is a staple in our home. It's easy to make, fairly inexpensive, and good! Like, "I-Just-Discovered-S'Mores-For-The-First-Time" good. Since it's a salad, though, it's more suited for the summer months. This baked version, however, is a perfect winter casserole.
5c day-old bread, cut into 1-in. cubes 1/3c chopped fresh basil
2T olive oil 1/4c chopped red onion
3T red wine vinegar 6oz. fresh mozzarella, cubed
1/8t kosher salt 1/3c shredded mozzarella
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
1) Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees; lightly oil large baking dish.
2) Combine bread, oil, vinegar, and salt in a bowl. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3) In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, red onion and fresh mozzarella. Add bread mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine.
4) Pour into prepared dish and top with shredded mozzarella. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
5c day-old bread, cut into 1-in. cubes 1/3c chopped fresh basil
2T olive oil 1/4c chopped red onion
3T red wine vinegar 6oz. fresh mozzarella, cubed
1/8t kosher salt 1/3c shredded mozzarella
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
1) Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees; lightly oil large baking dish.
2) Combine bread, oil, vinegar, and salt in a bowl. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3) In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, red onion and fresh mozzarella. Add bread mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine.
4) Pour into prepared dish and top with shredded mozzarella. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
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