An Advent Appetizer for Feast of Immaculate Conception

This simple appetizer with its combination of ingredients: goat cheese, pomegranates, thyme, and honey - holds symbolism for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Advent season. It is a yummy flavor combination, too, with the tangy sweetness of the pomegranates contrasting to the tartness of the goat cheese. Just top your favorite cracker and enjoy.

The pomegranate is often depicted in paintings of the the Madonna and Child. It's availability during the months around Christmas also make it a great food for the Advent and Christmas season.  While suggested for today, it is actually a fitting appetizer for anytime during the Advent or Christmas season.

Madonna of the Pomegranate ~ Sandro Botticelli

The four ingredients all have a symbolism or connection to make them fitting for this feast:
Pomegranate – fruit that is a symbol of the hope of eternal life through Christ the Word made flesh White (goat cheese) - symbol of Our Lady’s purity/Immaculate Conception
Thyme – herb that is a symbol of Mary’s humility
Honey – a “locust and honey” nod to St. John (2nd Sunday of Advent)

Pomegranate & Thyme Goat Cheese Log

Ingredients:
4 oz. goat cheese log
~ 1/2 cup of pomegranate arils
fresh thyme sprigs
honey

Directions:
Allow the goat cheese to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften. Add pomegranate arils to top and sides - gently pressing in to hold. Strip the thyme leaves from the stem. Sprinkle thyme leaves over the cheese log. Drizzle with honey. Serve with crackers.


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White Chocolate Cream Cake for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin

prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,

grant, we pray,

that, as you preserved her from every stain

by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,

so, through her intercession,

we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.

 White Chocolate Cream Cake

Cake:

3 oz. squares white chocolate, chopped
2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 C. white sugar
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 2/3 C. heavy cream
3 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract

Frosting:
3 oz. white chocolate, chopped
3 1/2 C. confectioner's sugar
1/4 C. butter, softened
4 Tbl. water
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 8 or 9 inch round pans. For the cake, melt white chocolate, set aside to cool to lukewarm. In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat eggs for about 5 minutes until light lemon colored. Beat in 1 tsp. almond flavoring and melted white chocolate. Fold in whipped cream. Fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 a cup at a time. Divide batter into prepared pans. Bake in over for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto wire rack and cool completely.

For Frosting: In a large bowl, beat 3 oz. of white chocolate over low heat or in microwave, stirring occasionally, until melted; cool to lukewarm. Combine on medium speed, white chocolate, confectioners sugar, butter, water and 1/2 tsp. almond extract. Beat until smooth and of spreading consistency. Pin It

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

Mary Undoer of Knots (also Untier of Knots) is a title of Mary derived from a 1700 painting by Johann Schmittdner. The image, called Maria Knotenlöserin in German, is located in St Peter am Perlach church in Augsburg, Germany.  Earliest reference to Mary using the image of untying knots is in an ancient text of St. Ireneus in the late 2nd century. He wrote "the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by Mary's obedience."  "For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith." (Adversus haereses, 3, 22). This is one of the earliest examples of describing Mary as the New Eve. We see here the beginnings of the devotion to Our Lady, Untier of Knots. 

The painting depicting Our Lady untying the knots of a white wedding ribbon was commissioned around 1700 by Fr. Hieronymus Ambrosius Langenmantel in thanksgiving for her intervention in his family. The history and story of that intervention can be found her at the website of the International Fraternity of the Virgin Mary Untier of Knots.

In the lower portion of the painting, Wolfgang Langenmantel can be seen being guided by the Archangel St. Raphael in his journey to resolve the crisis in his marriage. The advocation of Mary, Untier of Knots, has become widespread and efficacious particularly in the resolution of marital and family conflicts. 

Pope Francis has a special devotion to this image and is responsible for bringing it to Argentina and other parts of South America where it is highly regarded. Because of this we are seeing more and more about Our Lady under this title and understanding her intercession in struggles of family life and marriage.  It is a beautiful image. Since it is an image that may be new to many this it would be a great year to spend some time focusing on learning more about it and introducing your family to the devotion. 

The feast days listed for this title of Mary are of course August 15 and December 8 which cover her under many different titles. September 28 is also listed as a day to commemorate her under this title - sources indicate that is the date of the intervention in the Langenmantel  family. It also seems symbolic that there is a connection to St. Raphael and the archangels whose feast is the day following. With St. Raphael being pictured and the image associated with healing of marriage struggles it is that Raphael/marriage connection.

The visual of a knots being untied is so sensory and physical.  There are many great menu or treat ideas that you could easily incorporate into your day.

Bread Knots come to mind as very fitting and easy to do. Whether you make them from scratch or use a prepared refrigerator dough. The two classics are garlic knots and cinnamon knots. Cinnamon knots would be a fun option for a breakfast or brunch while the garlic knots seem more suited to lunch or dinner.

String Cheese Knots is a fun snack idea that can easily be achieved by using the longer skinny cheese sticks or taking some "strings" from a packaged cheese stick and tying it in a knot. 

Licorice Knots are another sting-like food that can be tied in a knot, and untied too, making it a fun and interactive treat for the day. The thin string licorice works well but the thicker is fine too. There are even blue flavors available that make this even more fitting as a remembrance of our lady in blue. 

Pretzels or pretzel styled snacks are an easy and ready made "knot" to pull out to remember Our Lady today. 

The prayer to Our Lady Undoer of Knots, written by our Holy Father Pope Francis, when he was a bishop in Argentina. 

Holy Mary, full of God's presence during the days of your life,
you accepted with full humility the Father's will,
and the Devil was never capable to tie you around with his confusion
Once with your son you interceded for our difficulties,
and, full of kindness and patience you gave us example of how to untie the knots of our life.
And by remaining forever Our Mother,
you put in order, and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord.
Holy Mother, Mother of God, and our Mother,
to you, who untie with motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of person),
and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks.
Through your grace, your intercession, and your example,
deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God,
so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen

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Ave Maria Toast

For the Feast of the Immaculate Conception we made a simple snack to celebrate Immaculate Mary.  This simple idea would be appropriate for any of Our Lady's feasts, including the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on January 1st! 

Ave Maria Toast

In separate bowls each, I dyed a small amount of whipped cream cheese (whipped definitely spreads smoother than block or regular cream cheese) pale blue and golden yellow with food coloring. I spread some white whipped cream cheese onto some toast. Using snack size ziploc bags, I piped an "A" and an "M" onto the toast in a design inspired by Catholic Emroidery's Ave Maria design.

I think it turned out lovely and the kids enjoyed eating it after they colored Charlotte's Immaculate Conception coloring page. I am sure many of you could come up some with wonderful ideas to add to this or tweak it for other feast days.

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Mary's Immaculate Conception

I apologize for the fact that I am posting these recipes after the feast day (or almost after). I wanted to get pictures before I posted them. I think you'll find, however, that these dishes would be wonderful for any feast of our Blessed Mother.

When I planned my menu for the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, I decided to prepare the roasted chicken and cauliflower, simply because of their French origins. But when I pulled the whole menu together, I realized I had the makings of a white meal. I normally try to plan my menu for each dinner with colorful foods -- a green or yellow vegetable, maybe an orange or red fruit, a white or red meat and maybe a green salad. This meal, however, was almost devoid of all color, representing our Blessed Mother's immaculate conception, which she declared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes.

I am not posting my recipe for mashed potatoes, or French bread, since I imagine you already know how to make mashed potatoes and possibly have a recipe for French bread. You can find my French bread recipe here. I didn't manage to get the cake made, mostly because there was mass clamoring in my house for chocolate chip cookies, but I often make this cake for Mary's feast days. You could also make these pretty French cookies. With their rosette appearance, they make a perfect Mary cookie.

Menu

Lemon Roasted Chicken
Roasted Cauliflower
Mashed Potatoes
French Bread
Butter Brickle Cake

Lemon-Roasted Chicken
serves 6 to 8

12 small pieces or 6 large pieces bone-in chicken
2 lemons, each cut into 8 wedges
8 garlic cloves, peeled
1 t. dried oregano
4 T. olive oil
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450°.
If using large pieces of chicken (breasts) cut each in half crosswise
(this allows them to cook more quickly).
Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces and place in a large bowl.
Add lemons and garlic cloves to bowl, squeezing each lemon piece slightly.
Sprinkle with oregano and drizzle with 3 T. olive oil.
Toss with salt and pepper.
Drizzle rimmed baking sheet with remaining tablespoon
olive oil and smear with your hands.
Place chicken pieces on sheet, skin side up,
arranging so pieces don't touch.
Place lemon pieces and garlic cloves
on top of chicken pieces randomly.
Roast for 35 to 40 minutes.
Test for doneness and serve when juices run clear.

Roasted Cauliflower

3 t. olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced in eighths (I cut mine like apple slices)
5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
4 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 T. water
1 T. Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450°.
Drizzle large rimmed baking sheet with 1 t. olive oil
and smear with your hands.
Place onion, garlic, and cauliflower in a large bowl.
Drizzle with 2 t. olive oil.
Mix mustard and water and pour over vegetables.
Toss with salt and pepper.
Place on baking sheet and spread out.
Bake at 450° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown,
stirring occasionally.
Taste and season again if needed.






Butter Brickle Cake

2 cups flour
11⁄4 cups sugar
1 T plus 1/4 t. baking powder
1 t salt
1 cup milk
1⁄2 cup shortening
11⁄2 t vanilla
3 egg whites, room temp.

Icing
1⁄4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 T half & half
2 T hot water
1 - 1⁄2 t vanilla


Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl.
Add milk, shortening and 1-1/2 t. vanilla.
Beat at medium speed until well blended.
Add egg whites, beat 2 minutes.
Pour batter into greased and floured 13”x9” pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until cake tests done with a toothpick.
Cool.

Melt butter in heavy saucepan.
Cook over low heat until butter is golden brown.
Remove from heat and add powdered sugar, half & half, water and vanilla.
Beat with a whisk for 3 minutes, or until smooth.
Spread evenly over top of cake.

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Blueberry Muffins for Our Lady

An easy way to celebrate any of the Blessed Virgin Mary's feast days is by incorporating the colors that symbolize her into our meals for that day. The color white symbolizes Mary's purity and blue is the traditional color of her mantle and/or sash.

Since the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is coming up on February 11th, I thought I would share a yummy recipe for Blueberry Muffins that we are planning on including in our celebration. (This recipe was adapted from one I found over at All Recipes.)

These muffins would also be great for any Saturday morning breakfast, since Saturdays are devoted to Mary.

Blueberry Muffins for Our Lady

INGREDIENTS

Muffins:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
  
• 2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  

I prefer increasing the blueberries to 3 cups, though I didn't have enough in my freezer for our latest batch. They were missed!

Crumb Topping:

• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 TBS butter, cubed
• 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray muffin pan with Pam or other non-stick spray or line with muffin liners.

Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in large bowl. In a 2 cup measuring cup, place vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and enough milk (just over 2/3 cups) to fill to the 2 cup mark. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. (Note: The batter is extremely thick.) Fill muffin cups right to the top for oversized muffins.

To make the crumb topping: mix together 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 3 Tbs butter, and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with a fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

This recipes yields approximately 12-16 extra generously sized delicious muffins.

Our Lady of Lourdes ~ Pray for Us!

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Meal ideas for the Feast of The Immaculate Conception

Here are a few ideas for an all white menu symbolizing the purity and the stainlessness of Mary's immaculate soul.

Breakfast: hash brown potatoes, Egg white omelet, white toast or English muffins, Cottage cheese

Snack time: White Cheez-Its, mozzarella cheese cubes, white grapes, macadamia nuts

Main Course: White rice, chicken breast with Alfredo sauce, tilapia, halibut, New England clam chowder, white pizza

Side dishes: Potato salad, Macaroni salad

Dessert: Rice pudding, Baked Pears with Custard Sauce, White Chocolate and Almond Pound Cake

Drinks: White grape juice, white tea, milk, white wine

May you all have a most blessed feast day with your families.
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