Here is the version we all know of the biblical story of Jacob and Esau. Basically, Esau came in from the fields and was quite hungry. Jacob had made a bowl of red soup. Esau offered up his birthright as the first-born for a bowl of soup. Now the detailed version – Jacob was trying to figure out what to do with his overabundance of local plum tomatoes. He asked his mother for ideas and she gave him a bottle of harissa. “What is it,” he asked? “It is a traditional North African paste, made from peppers, garlic, and spices. It is really popular in Tunisia. Does Tunisia exist yet? Whatever, it is really popular in biblical Tunisia. Yes, I’m aware these are biblical times, just try the harissa, Jacob. Geez.” “Hmmmm,” Jacob thought. “Perhaps if I roast up these tomatoes, along with some garlic, onions, and peppers, and add some harissa and spanish smoked paprika, I could make a really nice pureed soup!” So he did. Esau could smell the soup all the way in the fields. He came running in and not only demanded a taste, but also the recipe! Jacob gave it to him in exchange for his birthright. What you don’t know is that Esau started the original Soupergirl location in downtown Bethlehem. He had trouble though, because Verizon Fios had not yet arrived in Bethlehem so people had trouble accessing his website. So frustrating!!

Ingredients (in no particular order): plum tomatoes, harissa, spanish smoked paprika, red bell pepper, thyme, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, onion

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