Sauces for the Liturgical Calendar

This post was written by past Catholic Cuisine contributor Amy.

While browsing over at SQPN, I took a look at the new webcast they have called Grace Before Meals. In this series of videos Father Leo Patalinghug cooks up some great pasta sauces based on the colors of the liturgical calendar. Right now they have up the green, red, and white sauces. And soon there will be a purple! That is one I am very curious about.

Here is the Green (pesto) Sauce for ordinary time. Enjoy!

BASIL PESTO SAUCE [Green] (serves 4) 2 cups of Extra Virgin Olive Oil ¼ cup of pine nuts 2 pinches of red peppers flakes 1/3 cup of grated parmesan cheese 2 cups of fresh basil leaves (washed and dried) 1 teaspoon of kosher salt ½ teaspoon of pepper 1 box of penne pasta cooked al dente Cook pasta according to instructions on box. Saute garlic and toast pine nuts by heating a teaspoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic whole and allow to brown on all sides. Add 2 pinches of red pepper flakes and pine nuts and allow pine nuts to brown slightly. Remove from heat as soon as pine nuts develop some color. Let cool. Prepare the blender or a food processor. Add the rest of the oil, basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, salt and pepper, and parmesan cheese. Allow to blend until desired consistency. To assist the blending process, you may have to add more olive oil or occasionally stop the blender / processor and stir ingredients. Pour over hot pasta. Add more cheese if desired.

Also be sure to check out Father Leo's Website, Grace Before Meals, for the recpies for these sauces and more!