Are you looking for a recipe for “pulse”, that Biblical food favored by Daniel the prophet? Do you simply enjoy healthy food for the winter that nourishes your family? Pre-soak a healthy mix of beans and grains for optimal nutrition and easy cooking. Customize to suit your needs and top with authentic cheeses and fermented toppings. Give pulse a try for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
This article has been updated since its original publication in 2014. Eat hearty! 
More Healthy Meal Ideas for Later
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Even if you’re not familiar with the Biblical connection to pulse, you can start by knowing that it’s a great recipe for cold winter nights and church potlucks. It’s also a great way to use up leftovers as toppings, or as a way to create useful leftover to fill meal plans for the coming week.
–>>For more ideas on how to convert food and kitchen letftovers into useful products, please join our newsletter family and get your FREE copy of our Zero Waste Kitchen worksheets!
Daniel’s Gut Health
My favorite Bible story of prophet Daniel is about the health of his gut, a dish called Pulse and a whole foods showdown!
When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel, he retained the most intelligent, the “fairest”, the most talented of the royal houses of the Israelites to serve him in his court. Everyone else was sent to toil in the mines or the quarries or the fields.
We don’t know who Daniel’s parents were, but we do know that he was included in this this group of royal favorites. Living at court meant that Daniel was allowed a portion of the “king’s meat”.
There’s no record of what that specifically was but apparently Daniel felt that food was unworthy to consume and that it would “defile” him (Daniel 1:8).
Whole Foods Showdown
Daniel proposed an experiment to his overseer, Melzar:
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat and as thou seest, deal with thy servants” (Daniel 1:12-13).
So, for ten days, Daniel and his friends ate pulse and drank water while all the other servant ate the king’s meat. The results?
“And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat…” (Daniel 1:15)
What Are the Ingredients of Pulse?
Pulse is any number of leguminous crops and edible seed:
- beans (especially broad beans like fava)
- lentils
- peas
- lentils
- barley
- oats
- wheat
- millet
And others that are appropriate for your region!
Is Pulse Holy?
My reason for sharing this today is not to advocate a vegetarian lifestyle or to suggest a pulse cleanse or any such thing! I’m merely fascinated by this obvious connection between what we eat and our “countenances.” Daniel’s gut was kept healthy and so his body was “fair.”
Is it any wonder the scriptures talk of health in the navel first and then marrow in the bones!
I don’t believe it was only Daniel’s physical body that appeared healthier either, but that his mind and spirit were kept clean by his decision to eat only that food which he felt was clean. Daniel went on to use his spiritual clarity to interpret dreams, stand for truth and righteousness, and inspire several conquering kings to respect and even revere his God.
- Daniel’s personal integrity inspires me and makes me wonder what, in my own diet, could be hampering my physical and spiritual well being.
Unclean Foods – What Foods Did God Say Not to Eat?
Some foods I’m already aware of as being inappropriate for me to eat:
- refined and processed sugars
- refined and processed grains
- any product containing GMOs
- even some grains like wheat that haven’t been properly prepared
What does your list look like? Have you thought about it before? Prayed about it?
Even as I analyze my list, I have to ask if there are more items I need to be on the watch for.
How can I know what I should and shouldn’t eat?
How Do I Know What to Eat?
In my experience, when I don’t know something, all I have to do is ask in prayers and an answer is forthcoming.
After all, that’s how I discovered the other items on my list were harmful for me. I also read, read, read! I look forward to further exploring this connection between Daniel’s gut, my gut and “countenance”, including my spiritual well-being.
My religion has a law of health called The Word of Wisdom and one of the promises attending those who follow this law is that they will “find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge…and shall run and not be weary and shall walk and not faint.”
I could use a little of that!
A Recipe for Pulse
This is a very mix and match recipe and it has evolved in our house over the years. In fact, if you’re a reader who’s been with us for awhile you may notice that this recipe is different from our original one.
Meals and palettes change and it was time for an update of this simple and nourishing dinner recipe!
- You can change any of these ingredients to suit your family’s tastes as long as you keep the ratio of dried beans and grains to liquid about the same. The add-ins and add-ons are completely optional and you can come up with your own.
I’ve tried to keep the suggestions here as Biblically accurate as possible. However, dinner isn’t scripture, so feel free to experiment and find what will nourish your body tonight.
- In fact, feel free to eat this for breakfast, if you’re looking for a non-sugary meal!
Biblical Pulse
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cup Mixed Dried Beans Fava, pinto, black
- 1 1/2 Cup Lentils and/or Split Peas
- 1 Cup Whole Barley and/or Wheat Einkorn, spelt, or kamut, to stay authentic
- 1/2 Cup Millet Amaranth or quinoa
- 1 Tbsp Whole Mustard, Toasted or 2 tsps powdered mustard
- 1 Tbsp Tumeric, Chopped
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 3 Tbsp Sea Salt
- 2 Cups Bone Broth or Vegetable Broth, optional
- Water See notes for water amounts
- Pinch of Baking Soda
Additions
- See Notes for Toppings
- Unleavened Bread See article for Sourdough Naan recipe
Instructions
- Pre-soak 1 1/2 cups mixed beans, 1 1/2 cup lentils, 1 cup barley, and 1/2 cup millet in enough water to cover each group by 3 inches. If you're using quinoa or amaranth, soak it in separate bowls. Cover and soak for six hours or overnight.
- After soaking, rinse the contents of each bowl in a collander or fine mesh sieve. Be sure to rinse the legumes and grains until the water runs clear and there are no longer bubbles (especially on the quinoa and amaranth). Place into a slow cooker or instant pot insert.
- Pour the broth over the beans and grains, if using.
- Cover beans and grains in water and add 3 Tbsp of sea salt and a pinch baking soda. Add the 1 Tbsp. of toasted mustard seeds, 1 tsp. chopped turmeric, 1 Tbsp. minced garlic, 1 tsp. coriander, 1 tsp. powdered cumin and 2 bay leaves.
- Slow cook for 4-6 hours on high, or until desired consistency is achieved. Cook in an instant pot cooker for 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with butter and toppings. See suggestions in notes.
Notes
- If you want soup-like pulse, add 2 cups of water per cup of soaked beans.
- If you want drier, filling-type pulse, add 1 1/4 cup of water per cup of soaked beans.
- So, for a soup-like pulse, use 2 cups of broth and 6 cups of water. For a drier pulse, use 2 cups of broth and 4 1/2 ish (37 oz.).
- You can also omit the grains altogether if you want to go gluten free.
- Olive oil, butter, or ghee
- Sliced olives
- Sautéed garlic
- Freshly chopped dill, mint, or parsley
- Fermented veggies like kraut
- Fresh pomegranate
- Chopped nuts
- Chopped dates
- Chopped dried figs
- Raisins
- Fresh milk cheeses like feta
- Grilled or sautéed meats
Biblical Pulse Notes
This is an adaptable and customizable recipe, but there are a few tips that can help you enjoy this delicious recipe every time.
First of all, to be more authentic, consider beans like chickpea and fava since they are both grown in the Middle East and have been for centuries. Also, consider ancient grains like Einkorn, Kamut, or Spelt.
Fermented veggies like sauerkraut and fresh milk cheeses like feta.
- Here’s how to make a simple sauerkraut.
- And here’s how to make a goat milk feta – an easy cheese!
Pre-Soak & Water Amounts
Please be sure to read the notation in the recipe about PRE-SOAKING your beans and grains.
- If you want soup-like pulse, add 2 cups of water per cup of soaked beans.
- If you want drier, filling-type pulse, add 1 1/4 cup of water per cup of soaked beans.
If you want to use broth, integrate it into your total water amounts.
- So, for a soup-like pulse, use 2 cups of broth and 6 cups of water. For a drier pulse, use 2 cups of broth and 4 1/2 ish (37 oz.).
The smaller grains like millet can be ignored in all this liquid since their water absorption is comparatively negligent.
If you want to eat rice with your pulse, I suggest you prepare it separately.
- You can also omit the grains altogether if you want to go gluten free.
If you want a vegetarian evening, omit bone broth and use vegetable broth.
Baking soda will turn the broth a bit alkaline which will help the beans soften faster.
- Visit Spice Cravings for more very useful information on cooking beans in an Instant Pot.
Steps to Making Pulse
Pre-soak 1 1/2 cups mixed beans, 1 1/2 cup lentils, 1 cup barley, and 1/2 cup millet in enough water to cover each group by 3 inches. If you’re using quinoa or amaranth, soak it in separate bowls. Cover and soak for six hours or overnight.
After soaking, rinse the contents of each bowl in a collander or fine mesh sieve. Be sure to rinse the legumes and grains until the water runs clear and there are no longer bubbles (especially on the quinoa and amaranth). Place into a slow cooker or instant pot insert.
Pour the broth over the beans and grains, if using. Cover beans and grains in water and add the sea salt, baking soda, and herbs and spices.
Slow cook for 4-6 hours on high, or until desired consistency is achieved. Cook in an instant pot cooker for 30 minutes. Serve hot with butter and toppings. See suggestions in notes.
Spices & Toppings
To toast mustard seeds, place them in a frying pan on low heat, stirring occasionally. Watch for them to toast and NOT burn!
Feel free to play around with the spices. I often change them depending on my mood and even the season of the year. For a Mediterranean flair add a cinnamon stick or some anise.
Suggested Toppings:
- Olive oil, butter, or ghee
- Sliced olives
- Sautéed garlic
- Freshly chopped dill, mint, or parsley
- Fermented veggies like kraut
- Fresh pomegranate
- Chopped nuts
- Chopped dates
- Chopped dried figs
- Raisins
- Fresh milk cheeses like feta
- Grilled or sautéed meats
How Do You Cook a Pulse?
For my family, I double this recipe at the very least. If I want leftovers to upcycle into taco filling, pita stuffing or casserole mixture, then I’ll triple or quadruple it.
Bear in mind that dried beans and grain will usually double in size once they’re hydrated in water. So, what starts out as one cup of beans will become roughly two cups once it’s been prepared.
- Pre-soaked beans will take 4-6 hours on high to cook in a slow cooker.
- You may also use an Instant Pot set to about 30 minutes.
Nourished Kitchen can teach you more about the benefits of soaking grains.
Remember to ask a blessing or say Grace before you dig in!
Ideas for Add-Ons and Add-Ins
There are a number of things you can make to go with your pulse. Below are some ideas for toppings and inclusions, as well as techniques for improving your pulse.
Biblical Pulse Resources
3 Step Sour Cream
Make cultured sour cream to top off your Pulse.
Sourdough Starter: Easy Breakfast Pitas
Use these sourdough naan to eat up your Pulse!
Fermented Foods: One of the Most Ancient Healing Superfoods
Here's both food for thought and fermented foods to eat with your Pulse.
What Does the Bible Say About Food? Does God Care About What I Eat?
More food for thought - is there a connection to what we eat and our spiritual health.
Top 10 Bible Foods that Heal + the Biblical Diet
Here are some ideas for Biblical foods that might help heal your body and more!
Easy Lentil Soup
If you have leftover lentils, try this lovely soup!
Rustic Figgy Pudding Recipe (easy yet traditional)
If you need a treat after dinner, this might suit!
—>>> Pin This Recipe for Later <<<—
I, too, have been studying clean and unclean foods for sometime now…great minds 😉
love this recipe, thanks for sharing!
Thank so much, Heather! Your mind is great (I have proof), my mind is catching up slowly!
The garden of Eden was of every fruit tree. All fruit have seeds. (Until gmo) Ive grown and hunted wild herbs, none were vegetables. Grain was stored and eaten during Joseph s time ect. Peas and beans are good protein of course. But never seen them in the wild. Not that a type dont.
Dear Homestead I have just copied pulse recipe and I wish to thank you for your generosity in sharing I will certainly be chasing the Homestead magazine in future I feel comfortable in saying Blessings to you all, and, Saluti from Isa
Love this
This information came at the right time for me.
Bless you dearly.
So sorry for my tardy response, but I’m glad you found it helpful! God bless!
Iwould love this recipe
I love this! Have you read the book “Herbs of the Bible”, by James A. Duke, Ph.D.? It seems like something you would enjoy as much as I did.
🙂
No, Kelly – I’ve never even heard of it! So going to put that on my Amazon wishlist – thank you!
I just started the Daniel Fast yesterday so your post was just what I needed to read this morning. God’s timing is so awesome! Thanks!
That totally made my day, Lisa! Godspeed with your fast and let us know how you feel when you’re done!
What an interesting post! I love the historical/Biblical background and how it can be used today. Thanks for sharing. – Katie
Thanks, Katie! I’m glad you found it helpful. Love that Good Book!
Oh just starting Daniel diet.
Helpful.
Margaret From Canada.
So glad it was helpful!
I have been trying to live the Word of Wisdom for many decades, discovering that some of the things in it have been genetically altered, like wheat in the 50’s to 60’s for example. [https://www.grainstorm.com/pages/modern-wheat]
Thank you for sharing the recipe and thoughts, which have inspired me to live it with more understanding.
The more I read, Rick, the more I understand what the Lord meant when He talked about ‘evil and conspiring men’. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, too.
I’ve been looking to largely replace meat protein with plant protein and was led to Daniel’s account in the bible. This is definitely a meal that would give you the protein you need without needing to consume flesh as often! Thanks for the great recipe.
You’re quite welcome! I’ve always been fascinated by that whole story – well, Daniel’s whole life, really. I hope it turns out well for you and let me know if you make improvements, please!
Do you soak the rice with the other things or add it before cooking?
I usually cook it separately and serve the Pulse over the rice. Let me know if you do something different and I’ll borrow your brilliance!
I made this today (soaking it last night, crock pot today). VERY tasty with nothing but salt (didn’t have any broth on hand). Thanks!
So glad it was yummy!
I’m new to this. Can you share a few recipes to use with the Pulse? (soup, taco, enchilada, etc) As well, perhaps your favorite herbs and/or seasonings you use with the Pulse in your slow cooker? This may be obvious to some, but there must be others out there who could use a bit more help. Finally, how long does the Pulse recipe keep in your fridge and what is the suggested serving size? (I just followed your recipe & it’s in my crock pot at t his moment!… wish I’d known to hold out the rice- I saw your advice in the comments section after I had already added it to the blend.)
Typically, we eat pulse as a soup prepared in the crock pot – just like you’re doing. Then, I strain out whatever broth is left and use the pulse in tacos and enchiladas both. It can also easily be added to casseroles and pairs well with beef and cheese. I use the reserved broth in 1/2 cup amounts when sautéing peppers and onions, making chili and even mixed into the egg soak for a breakfast casserole, to which you may also add any leftover pulse. 1/2 cup pulse added to salsa will bulk it up, adding protein and flavor. For specific recipes, I can recommend sites like Yummly and All Recipes.
Beans and grains store well in the fridge but I typically use mine up within a week, simply because I incorporate the pulse into other recipes that week. It should freeze just fine. Since pulse is so nutrient dense, a good serving size to being with is one cup. If your gut isn’t used to eating beans and properly prepared grains, cut down to 1/2 cup and be sure to eat some leafy greens with your meal.
Favorite seasonings for pulse varies with me by season. I really like a Mexican flair in the summer time – cilantro, cumin and cayenne. When the weather is cooler I like bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce and some balsamic vinegar. Beans and rice both suck up salt so I don’t bother to add salt or pepper until right before I serve it.
Thank you for asking such great questions and I hope this was helpful!
Have you read,”Just what is the Word of Wisdom?” By Dr. John R. Christopher, M.H.? It is a small book but very insightful. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I am going to try it!!
No, I haven’t but sounds like it would be worth a look. Thanks for stopping by!
I could not get a comment in.forgive me for using someone else’s post please.I cannot get the receipe ,it just gives me the pic..i eouls rather hsve yours as i trust them to be biblical. My husband is a sabbath keeper and while i am lnot i do agree with a lot of the health suggestions . Some of My cousins are vegans and i truly love the food they make, my one cousin is an Adventist minister and my aunt(second mother) was a sabbath keeper so i grew up with some knowledge of the health message and would love to get this recipe. Annie young retired, if you are on face book i can not get into my e mail.
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Thank you for stopping by, Annie! The recipe was lost during a recent site re-build. I’ll get it back up as soon as I can – probably not before August, though. I’ll post it to the Homestead Lady facebook page when I do.
I just started my daniel fast on Wednesday and i needed to know that god is in control i see hear that he is thank god for the post that I’ve read
Can i eat eggs on the daniel fast
It’s not a fast, Bernard, so you’re welcome to eat anything you please. Pulse is just an all around good for the tummy food.
Can you live off pulse everyday like Daniel for a year or two?
That’s something you can discuss with your nutritionist but I wouldn’t recommend it. Variety is the spice of life and a healthy gut! A person really needs fresh veggies and fruits to stay healthy and get the proper amount of vitamins. Pulse could be a good base, especially during the cooler months of the year and/or if you’re in a season of nutrition where you don’t favor a lot of meat but need to keep up your protein.
I’m sorry, where is the recipe for pulse? I couldn’t see it, thanks!
I’m so sorry, Lisa! We recently had some site trouble and this post was one of the casualties. I’ll get it amended as soon as I can! I’ll email you, if you like, when it’s visible again.
I can’t find your pulse recipe? Do you have the link fixed yet?
Sorry, but no! It’s one of the ones that what erased with my most recent site rebuild. We’re still in the throws of moving and unpacking but I’ll be back online as soon as I can. The pulse recipe is first on my list. Thank you for your patience.
Just found you: have been fasting and removing unclean food for past month. Have been praying for advice to make my fasts more edifying and found this!
I have found refined Sugar and animal protien really cause osteoarthritis flare ups and needed a new way to eat. Thankyou!
So glad it was helpful, Rebecca! See if your library has a copy of Nourishing Traditions (Sally Fallon) and/or The Heal Your Gut Cookbook (Hilary Boynton). Both have been so helpful and healing for my family.
God bless!
Only came across PULSE a few days ago. It was packaged and although i was very tempted to buy, i just could not afford the pre made Pulse. Thank you so much for generously sharing this recipe. I will buy my organic ingredients today to truly feel super healthy when eating Pulse.
Many thanks and blessings.
Sweet – so glad it was helpful, Margaret! Remember to tweak it to your tastes – it’s more like a guideline sort of recipe.
Here’s a Bible source with the inclusion of pulse distinguished from wheat, barley, corn, beans, and lentils:
2Samuel 17:28 “Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,”.
I’m still wondering what pulse was.
Nevertheless I enjoyed your review of
Daniel’s heroic determination. Thank you.
PS Your recipe gave me a lot of interesting ideas to flatter our mixed bean soup regular.
Thanks so much for sharing that!
hello I can’t leave a rating as I haven’t tried the dish but I do have a question. Where are nuts and dried fruit and regular fruit on the list of pulse? All the daniel fast guidelines I’ve read say they are allowed also. Thank you for your response : )
Thanks for stopping by! If you’re doing a Daniel fast, feel free to follow the guidelines you feel are best. This is really just a recipe and so you’re welcome to add or detract what you please. Hope that helps!
My son and I read the story last night and it got me thinking. What is pulse? Thank you for your recipe and thoughts. I’m pretty sure lentils are on my list of no’s. Would the recipe be o.k if I omitted them?
So glad it was helpful! It’s a great story to read with sons. 🙂
Yes, you may absolutely omit lentils. It’s a great “kitchen sink” type recipe that you can remix and still retain the basic idea of the flavors. I hope it turns out well for you!
This looks lovely!
Pork is most likely the unclean meat, or shellfish. If you read Leviticus it shares the clean/unclean foods. Yahusha (Jesus) would have followed the Biblically clean list and the disciples continued after his ascension. It wasn’t until the Romans merged those who followed Torah (instruction) with pagan practices and banned any connection with YHVH’s (God’s) instructions that Christianity was formed and the old ways were done away with.
Scientifically there are lots of reasons not to eat pork or shellfish as well. Shalom!
Thank you for this great information! Do you think vegetable broth would work just as well? I was wondering about the bones of animals. Better flavor with the bone for sure. Thank you.
God bless you.
Yes, you can certainly use veggie broth! If you use beef bones, be sure to roast them first to improve the flavor. Poultry bones can go right into the broth pot. To be Biblical, don’t use pork bones. 🙂
Good morning and God bless you and your family I was wondering if I could get a copy of your pulse recipe it sounds so interesting and I really need to start to get a good fast recipe in order to get good results on my blood test. Your site is so encouraging and informative will be waiting for your email thank you in advance. Blessed be our God and our king.
So glad you found it useful, Gloria! The best way to get a copy of the recipe is to hit the “Print Recipe” button at the top of the recipe. It’s a green button, if that helps.
If you don’t have a printer, the best thing to do is to simply write down the ingredients and instructions – not very high tech, but it will work!
If you’d like to get emails from our site, feel free to join our online newsletter family but signing up at this link.
I hope that helps!