10 Recipes in Honor of St. Martha
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things…” (Luke 10:41)
A Personal Note from My Kitchen
Many mornings, I have found myself bustling around the kitchen with three burners going, a toddler tugging at my apron, and my planner open on the counter. I’m trying my best to make everything happen perfectly that I don’t even realize I’m ignoring the very ones I’m cooking for. On days like these, I think of St. Martha, patron saint of homemakers, cooks, and those of us who serve with our hands before we have time to sit at His feet.
When I first began shaping my days around the liturgical calendar, St. Martha’s feast on July 29th became a favorite. Her story reminds me that Christ sees every hidden act of love—yes, even the laundry and leftover chicken soup. So, today, I’m sharing recipes to help you honor St. Martha at your table. Whether you’re making a rustic ancient dish she may have known or whipping up something a bit more modern, the recipes below can transform your table into one St. Martha would be proud of.
A Brief Look at St. Martha
St. Martha appears in the Gospels as the sister of Mary and Lazarus. She is remembered for her hospitality, her faith in Christ, and her practical nature. While Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, Martha served the meal—and while Jesus praised Mary’s attentiveness, He did not scold Martha’s work. Instead, He gently reminded her to keep her heart in balance.
Martha was also present at one of Christ’s greatest miracles: the raising of her brother Lazarus. Her declaration—“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27)—is a powerful testament of faith, even in the face of sorrow and grief.
Because of her active love, Martha became the patron of cooks, innkeepers, and homemakers—those whose labor behind the scenes keeps the world (and the family table) turning.
An Ancient Recipe Martha May Have Enjoyed: Lentil Stew with Herbs and Flatbread
The region of Bethany in the 1st century would have seen simple yet flavorful fare, such as grains, lentils, herbs, dates, and olives. This recipe is inspired by ancient Jewish and Roman cooking traditions and reflects the types of food a family like Martha’s may have prepared for guests.
Ancient Lentil Stew, from The Roman Cookery Book (Apicius, adapted)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown or green lentils
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp sumac (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp fresh mint or parsley, chopped
- Dates or olives for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse lentils and set aside.
- In a pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in cumin, coriander, and sumac. Toast for 30 seconds.
- Add lentils and water/broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh herbs just before serving.
- Serve with simple flatbread made from flour, water, olive oil, and a pinch of salt—griddled over medium heat.
9 More Recipes for the Feast of St. Martha
Whether you want to cook a full feast or just offer something simple in her honor, here are 9 recipes associated with hospitality, simplicity, and the loving work of the homemaker.
1. Honey Cake
Honey was nature’s first sweetener, and no doubt found itself on Martha’s table on many occasions. Nagi over at RecipeTin Eats offers a beautiful Honey Cake recipe that is simple, sugar-free, and easy to make.
2. Rosemary Olive Sourdough Bread
Bread was an absolute staple of Martha’s time, and it was most likely a sourdough whole grain version. Sourdough has been the only bread I’ve been baking since my starter was birthed over two years ago. Olives and rosemary are a perfect pair in this savory bread. Sylvia shared this Rosemary Olive Sourdough recipe over at her blog, Feast at Home.
P.S. Her sourdough recipes are the ones I use. So Simple!
3. Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas)
Common in ancient Judea and symbolic of hospitality, stuffed grape leaves are easier to make than most people think. In modern times, we consider the dish a Greek delicacy. Dimitra’s recipe for Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves) is one of many that I enjoy from her list of Greek recipes.
4. Tabbouleh Salad
Tabbouleh comes in many varieties. The two most popular ones are Lebanese, which includes bulgur wheat, and Moroccan, which includes couscous. The flavorful Moroccan Tabbouleh above is offered by Saif and his mother Chelly from their blog The Odehlicious. A refreshing salad of herbs and grains is an ancient combination that hails from the Middle East. It is a simple and easy dish to make, and even simpler if you have a pot or two of fresh herbs in your home.
5. Chickpea Flatbread (Socca)
Gluten-free, ancient-inspired, and great for dipping in your favorite olive oil or hummus. Going with my preference for easy and simple cooking, I recommend the One Ingredient Socca Recipe from Pinch of Yum. Ok – there’s technically four ingredients – but do we consider salt, olive oil, and water technically ingredients….?
6. Olive Tapenade
A perfect pairing with the Socca above, or any other flatbread towards or otherwise, is Traci’s colorful 10-Minute Olive Tapenade from Vanilla and Bean. It is perfect to put together quickly for unexpected guests, or for yourself when you just can’t bear to cook. If you keep your kitchen stocked with jarred olives (kalamata’s are my favorite), this tapenade may be just want you need to nosh on. Don’t have capers or sun-dreid tomatoes? Feel free to skip or chop in some fresh tomatoes. You can’t really mess up a tapenade!
7. Roasted Eggplant with Tahini
Eggplant is synonymous with traditional foods from the Fertile Crescent. Baba Ganoush has long-standing roots in the Mediterranean, and Suzy from The Mediterranean Dish offers a simple and authentic Baba Ganoush recipe that may just be the savory spread you’ve been looking for.
8. Roasted Chicken with Herbs
If you’ve been around my Youtube or blog long enough, you know one of my favorite things to cook for a traditional family meal is a big roast chicken. I’ve compiled my favorite seasonal roast chicken variations because frankly…there’s no secret to a great roast chicken. It’s all in the seasoning! The best part…leftovers are great to use in lunches and dinners the rest of the week.
9. Chocolate Date & Nut Bites
Dessert was a different affair in the ancient world. In most cases, dessert was not a popular concept – the everyday family tended to enjoy a main meal without the extras. For small bites, fresh or dried fruit. and nuts may have been the go-to choices. Though I prefer my fruits and nuts separate, these Chocolate Covered Date Nut Bites have become popular for a reason. One small bite pairs nicely with a cup of tea or coffee at the end of a meal, or any time of day for that matter! Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts in the recipe (almond lovers, anyone?)
Your St. Martha Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the hands that prepared this meal,
and for the quiet blessings that fill our home each day.As we gather at this table, we remember
Your faithful servant, St. Martha—
who welcomed You with love, served with care,
and believed in You with all her heart.Through her example, teach us to serve with joy,
to love without complaint,
and to find You even in the ordinary tasks of the day.Bless this food,
and may our table always be a place of peace, presence, and gratitude.St. Martha, pray for us.
Amen.
What Will You Be Making?
I’d love to hear—do you plan to honor St. Martha’s feast with a special dish or prayerful moment? Share your recipe photos or reflections and don’t forget to tag @espiliving when you do!
