Recipes for March ~ Month Dedicated to St. Joseph

The Month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus.

"The silence of Saint Joseph is given a special emphasis. His silence is steeped in contemplation of the mystery of God in an attitude of total availability to divine desires. It is a silence thanks to which Joseph, in unison with Mary, watches over the Word of God, known through the Sacred Scriptures, continuously comparing it with the events of the life of Jesus; a silence woven of constant prayer, a prayer of blessing of the Lord, of the adoration of His holy will and of unreserved entrustment to his providence. It is no exaggeration to think that it was precisely from his "father" Joseph that Jesus learned -- at the human level -- that steadfast interiority which is a presupposition of authentic justice.... Let us allow ourselves to be "filled" with Saint Joseph's silence! In a world that is often too noisy, that encourages neither recollection nor listening to God's voice."   ~ Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, December 18, 2005

March 1st, St. David (New and Trad.):

• Daffodil Cake for St. David's Day (As well as a couple soup recipes!)

March 3rd, St. Katharine Drexel (New):

• Buffalo Baked Ziti
• Three Sisters Stew

March 4th, St. Casimir (New and Trad.):

• Polish Sugar Cookies

March 7th, St. Thomas Aquinas (Trad.):

• The Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas (Cake can be found here)

March 12th, Feast of St. Gregory the Great (Trad.):

• Enjoying Chant with St. Gregory the Great
• St. Gregory's Cherries (Crisp)

March 17th, St. Patrick (New and Trad.):

Breads

• Blarney Biscuits
• Shepherd's Crook Breadsticks (from Good Shepherd's Garden Party Plans)
• Irish Soda Bread
• Sweet Shamrock Pretzels 
• Shamrock Cinnamon Rolls
• Cinnamon Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day

 

Appetizers and Side Dishes

• Candied Popcorn
• Irish Spud Strips
• A Sss-snack for St. Patrick's Day
• Pistachio Mallow Salad for St. Patrick's Day
• Rainbow Fruit Platter
• An Irish Flag Veggie Tray

 

Main Dishes

• Irish Beef and Guinness Stew
• Irish Potato Pancakes
• Shamrock Toasties
• St. Patrick's Beans
• St. Patrick's Shamrock Eggs and Fruit Rainbows

 
 

Drinks

• Slainte'
• Saint Patrick's Day Peppermint Candy Shake

Desserts

• Saint Patrick's Shamrock Cupcake Bouquet
• Shamrock Mint Cupcakes
• Other uses for those Saint Nicholas Cookie Cutters!
• Feast Day Sugar Cookies
• "Hills of Ireland" Sundaes
• Shamrock Chocolate Molds would be a fun addition for this feast, and would make a cute and easy decoration for cupcakes, etc.  Here is the link to the inexpensive mold I purchased.   There are all sorts of Shamrock themed baking supplies available including Cookie Cutters, Cake Pans, and Muffin Pans. 

  

March 19th, St. Joseph (New and Trad):

St. Joseph's Altars

• Foods for St. Joseph's Altar
• St. Joseph Altar Blog Fest

Main Dishes

• St. Joseph Salad
• Lily Sandwiches (The lily is a symbol of St. Joseph) 
• Mother Most Pure Calla Lily Sandwiches (The lily is a symbol of St. Joseph)
• Minestrone Soup

Desserts

• St. Joseph Sfinge (Cream Puffs)
• St. Joseph's Staff
• Nativity Cookies
• St. Joseph Raspberry Cream Cupcakes
• Lily Lollipops for St. Joseph
• Gingerbread Tool Box for St. Joseph the Worker

 

St. Joseph's Day Baby Shower

• St. Joseph's Day Baby Shower with recipes for Spinach Potato Frittata, Pesto Crostini, Cream Puff Cake, and Italian Sodas!

  

 

March 24th, Feast of St. Gabriel the Archangel (Trad.):

• Upcoming From Thy Bounty Fair: Angels (With ideas and suggestions!)
• Angel Curls Cookies
• From Thy Bounty Fair - Feasting with the Angels!
• Lily Sandwiches (The Lily is a symbol of St. Gabriel) 
• Blessed Mary Mother of God Brownies (The Fleur-de-lis is a symbol of St. Gabriel) 

March 26th, Annunciation of the Lord (New, Trad.; transferred from March 25, which is Passion Sunday this year.):

• Annunciation Waffles
• Annunciation Blueberry Oatmeal Coffee Cake
• Baked Blueberry & Pecan Crusted French Toast

• Lady Day Feasting (Swedish Waffles and Ukrainian Poppy Seed Bread)
• Lily Sandwiches
• Mother Most Pure Calla Lily Sandwiches
• Marian Blueberry ParFIAT
• Annunciation Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Bride's Cake with Blueberry Filling
• All Recipes for the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!

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Simple Meals for Lent :: Vegetable Spring Rolls

 Photo by Philip Laubner/CRS

This recipe was submitted by Catholic Relief Services. "Sample the food of the Operation Rice Bowl featured-countries with your family and friends by preparing a simple, meatless recipe shared with us by the people we serve around the world. "

Vegetable Spring Rolls 

from Vietnam

Fresh herbs and vegetables rolled in thin rice paper wrappers. The garlic and wine vinegar dipping sauce is the perfect topping for this tangy and tasty meal.

Ingredients:

Sauce

• ¼ cup water
• 1 tsp corn starch
• 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced and crushed
• 2 Tbsp sugar

Spring Rolls

• 1 cup cooked thin rice noodles
• ½ cup bean sprouts
• 1/3 head of green cabbage, chopped
• 5 green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup carrots, grated or julienned
• ¼ cup fresh herbs (cilantro, basil or mint)
• 1 package rice paper wrappers

Directions:

Combine all sauce ingredients in small saucepan and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to thicken. Cool before serving. Cook rice noodles as described on package. Lightly steam cabbage, green onions, and carrots together until slightly tender. Toss noodles, vegetables, and herbs in large bowl. Quickly submerge a rice paper wrapper in warm water and lay on a smooth surface. Place about 2 tablespoons of mix on each wrapper and fold wrapper into shape.

Makes 6 - 8 servings

Photo by Laura Sheahen/Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services' education programs in Vietnam promote quality education for all people. Finding services and programs for disabled students was a challenge for Giap and his family living in Hanoi. But recently Giap started a web design business after enrolling in a residential school for students with disabilities. There he and his fellow students gained skills and confidence to work in the growing field of web design. With support from Catholic Relief Services, Giap’s school offers programs and accommodations for students who are blind or physically disabled so they can fulfill their potential and realize their dreams. For more information please visit Operation Rice Bowl. Pin It

Simple Meals for Lent :: Vary amin'anana

 Photo by Philip Laubner/CRS

This recipe was submitted by Catholic Relief Services.   "Sample the food of the Operation Rice Bowl featured-countries with your family and friends by preparing a simple, meatless recipe shared with us by the people we serve around the world. "

Vary amin’anana

from Madagascar

Hot rice served with fresh greens and juicy tomatoes. A dash of ginger makes this a fragrant and delicious dish.  

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ small onion, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 3 cups collard greens, thinly sliced
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups water
• salt, to taste

Directions:

Heat oil in a medium pot. Add onion, ginger, and tomato. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes, until tender. Add greens and stir for 1 minute. Add water and bring to a boil. Add the rice and salt. Cover and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes or until water is absorbed.

Makes 4-5 servings

Catholic Relief Services' agriculture programs in Madagascar help farmers in the poorest communities improve their harvests using environmentally sensitive techniques. For more information please visit Operation Rice Bowl. Pin It

Hot Crossed Buns

The following recipe was submitted by Alzbeta, from The Volks Wagon.  Thank you Alzbeta!  This particular recipe is adapted from Breaking Bread with Father Dominic.  According to tradition, Hot Cross Buns originated on Good Friday in 1361 at St Alban's Abbey in Hertfordshire, north of London,where the monks gave them to the poor people who came there on that holy day.   Some say that the dried fruit in the bun represents the nails of the Crucifixion.  In the United States, bakers start selling hot cross buns on Ash Wednesday, and throughout the whole Lenten season. 

Hot cross buns!

Hot cross buns!
One ha' penny, two ha' penny,
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons
One ha' penny,
Two ha' penny,
Hot Cross Buns!

My sister started our family in following the tradition of eating hot cross buns on Good Friday a few years ago, and luckily she passed her recipe on so I could make them despite being away from the family. They're a simple bun, but with enough hearty sustenance to get you through the fast.

Needed:

4 to 4 1/2 cups flour, divided
1/2 cup whole wheat (graham) flour (I've never been able to find it, so I just use whole wheat)
1 package Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cups craisins soaked in 2 tspoons water

Combine 2 cups of the bread flour, whole wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl; stir until thoroughly blended.

Combine milk and butter in saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally until butter melts. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm. Stir in eggs.

Add milk mixture to flour mixture, beat for 200 strokes (here's where my husband ended up helping, my arm got tired! Ignore the strange things I use to beat... we make do :)).

Stir in craisins. Add 2 cups bread flour, mix until flour is incorporated. Turn dough out on a floured surface. Knead lightly, adding enogh of the remaining flour to make a soft dough that doesn't stick.

Knead about 5 min., or until dough is smooth and elastic. Lightly rub surface of dough with oil or butter; place in rinsed bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm draft-free place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until it rises to two times it's original size.

Punch down dough and transfer to a floured surface. Knead lightly to remove air bubbles. Divide dough into 12 pieces. Form pieces into balls. Place balls on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between balls. Cover with a clean towel and let rise 45-60 minutes or until doubled.

Use a sharp knife or razor blade (I use scissors) to cut a deep cross in top of each ball. (Cut deeper than you initially think, it takes a deep cut to show up in the finished bun!)

While dough is rising, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake buns 15-20 minutes or until golden. Remove from baking sheet and place on wire rack. Let cool 15 minutes. Pin It