So four years ago, he set out to recreate Jacob’s lentils — and other famous biblical meals — with the help of his partner, Anthony F. Chiffolo, editorial director of a nonfiction publishing house.

HARTSDALE, N.Y. -- God, apparently, is no Emeril. The Bible contains just one true recipe, for a bread of wheat, barley and lentils cooked over a fire made from burning human excrement. The ...