Blood Orange and Pomegranate Sparkling Sangria

This is a lighter sangria for July, but one with some significant symbolism for the month of the Most Precious Blood. One of the ingredients, blood orange, by name makes it very fitting for a drink to remember the blood of Christ poured out for us. The other unique ingredient to this recipe is the pomegranate arils (seeds). Pomegranates in Christian art symbolize the resurrection and eternal life in Christ. It is fitting as it is through the blood of Christ that we might have eternal life.  As a summer drink, this recipe was a little hard to fulfill since both blood oranges and pomegranates are out of season.  But it is possible to find packaged pomegranate arils in the refrigerated produce section of natural grocers.  I also substituted the blood oranges for regular oranges and then used a bottled blood orange sparkling drink in place of the club soda.  These substitutions made it possible to still make a delicious sangria which included the symbolic elements of blood orange and pomegranate.

Blood Orange and Pomegranate Sparkling Sangria

Ingredients: 
3 blood oranges (or other oranges if unavailable)
Arils (seeds) from 1 pomegranate
¼ cup brandy
¼ cup simple syrup
1 bottle dry sparkling rosé or white sparkling wine
1 cup sparkling water (use blood orange Italian soda if not using blood oranges as fruit)

Instructions: 
To make simple syrup, pour equal parts sugar and water into a saucepan and heat ingredients until dissolved. Cool. Juice two of the oranges. Slice the remaining orange into thin rounds, then cut into halves or quarters for garnish. In a pitcher, combine the simple sugar,  blood orange juice, blood orange slices, pomegranate arils and brandy. Let the fruit marinate for a few hours, covered and chilled in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, pour in the rosé and sparkling water. Ladle sangria and fruit into glasses and serve. Makes approximately 6 glasses.

Precious Blood,

Ocean of Divine Mercy:

Flow upon us! 

Precious Blood,

Most pure Offering:

Procure us every Grace! 

Precious Blood,

Hope and Refuge of sinners:

Atone for us!

Precious Blood,

Delight of holy souls:

Draw us!

Amen.

~St. Catherine of Siena

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Summer Sangria in this Month of the Most Precious Blood

July is drawing to a close, but there is still time to enjoy a classic summer drink - sangria - perfect for the month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood. Sangre means blood in Spanish and the drink sangria took it's name from the red wine used, as it resembled the color of blood. Living in Colorado where there is a spectacular mountain range which extends into New Mexico named Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ), I always think of the word sangre/sangria as associated with Christ's blood.

In addition to the dedicated month there are many saints with devotion and insights into the saving power of the Precious Blood and isn’t it convenient that several of them have summer feast days – perfect days to toast with a sangria and offer prayers through the saving power of the most precious blood.

St. Gaspar del Bufalo (feast: December 28), founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood said, “We must let it be known how the Blood of Christ cleanses the souls and sanctifies them, particularly by means of the sacraments.”

In both the Dialogue and her letters, St. Catherine of Siena (feast: April 29) talks much about the blood of Christ as fundamental to salvation. Her dying words were, “Blood! Blood! Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.”

The Carmelite saint, St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi (feast: May 25) when in a rapture, saw that, “every time a human being offers up the Blood by which he was redeemed, he offers a gift of infinite worth, which can be equaled by no other.” Inspired by her vision, St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi offered the Precious Blood fifty times for the souls of the living and the dead, and then God rewarded her with visions of the multitudes of souls that had been saved from perdition or delivered from Purgatory.

The Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney (feast: August 4), drew on the most perfect way of offering the Most Precious Blood: he asked Our Lady to offer it for him, and said that it never failed to obtain for him the grace or favor he sought.

St. Dominic (feast: August 8), actually had a vision of Our Lady sprinkling devout people in his congregation with the Precious Blood.

St. Maria De Mattias (feast: August 20), founder of the religious congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ had a consuming desire that "not even one drop of the Divine Blood would be lost"; that it would reach all sinners to purify them and so that, washed in that river of mercy, they would rediscover the right way to peace and union among people.

Classic Sangria

Ingredients:
2 bottles chilled dry red wine, like Rioja

1 cup brandy

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar

2 oranges, cut into thin rounds & quartered

2 lemons, cut into thin rounds & quartered

3 limes, cut into thin rounds & quartered

2 apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks

2 cups cold club soda or sparkling water

Directions:

In a large pot or pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange, lemon, lime slices, and the apples then refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator and add the club soda. Serve in glasses over ice.

  *    *    *    *    *     *     *

“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, in satisfaction of my sins, in supplication for the holy souls in Purgatory and for the needs of Holy Church (name a soul).”

“Immaculate Heart of Mary, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of sinners, especially, (name the soul).”

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Lily Pasta Santa Caterina

April 29 (new) and April 30 (traditional) are the feasts of St. Catherine of Siena. Last night I ended up serving Pasta Santa Caterina for dinner. This time I made it with lily shaped pasta (Capanelle, also referred to as gigli or riccioli, translates to little bells or bellflowers) from Trader Joe's, since I had given some to our children in this year's family Easter Basket.

The lily symbolizes purity. Its stoic structure, pure white color, and delicately sweet aroma attribute to qualities of royalty, purity, and chastity. It is the symbolic flower of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is sometimes depicted with other saints (including St. Catherine of Siena) who possess these qualities. A lily among thorns represents the Immaculate Conception as the purity of the Virgin is preserved among the fallen nature of the world. Legend says that the lily originated from Eve’s tears when she and Adam were banished from the Garden of Eden. Another legend claims that lilies sprang up from the ground when drops of blood fell to the foot of the Cross. During the Easter season, many churches line their altars with Easter Lilies to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.

This pasta would also be perfect for tomorrow's feast (May 1, St. Joseph the Worker) since the lily is also one of the symbols for St. Joseph.

Pasta Santa Caterina

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. ripe tomatoes 
• 2 Tbsp. Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. fresh Basil, chopped
• 2 tsp. garlic minced
• 3 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I omitted this and it was still great) 
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 6 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 lb. gigli pasta 

Directions:

Peel tomatoes, remove seeds and dice.

In a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients except the pasta.
Marinate at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Cook the pasta according to package directions, until tender. Drain thoroughly, and transfer pasta to a heated serving dish. Add the sauce and toss.

Serves 8 to 10.

St. Catherine of Siena, ora pro nobis! 

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For Those Sailing Related Saints - Taco Boats

I recently saw this new product from Old El Paso - Mini Soft Tortilla Taco Boats - and immediately thought of the uses for all the saints and feast days associated with boats and sailing (and there are many!).

Today's feast of Our Lady of the Pillar is connected to Christopher Columbus, the holiday also recognized today in the United States.  Under King Ferdinand of Aragon and his wife Queen Isabella, devotion to Nuestra Senora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) took on national importance in Spain. When Columbus embarked on his journey to find a sailing route to India, he placed the three ships under Mary's patronage. As the weeks dragged on and no land in sight, the sailors grew restless. Columbus' journal indicates he invoked Our Lady under this title, declared that if they did not see land by her feast day they would turn back. On October 12, 1492 the navigators spotted indications of approaching land - one of the islands of the Bahamas - which was named San Salvador when they landed.  Our Lady had interceded.

Today, in commemoration of Our Lady of the Pillar, and of the three ships - the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria - we enjoyed a dinner of taco ships.  These edible little boats can be filled with a variety of different fillings, made to your liking and specifications. Here they are filled with spiced ground beef, cheese, salsa and sour cream with a tortilla chip sail. Thought a "New World" Hispanic inspired meal with spices (Columbus' travels were intended to make it easy to reach the spices of far east.) would be fun. Made with or without a sail, can be a quick and ready made boat for a variety of saints and feast days.

Some ideas to consider:

• St. Brendan (May 16)- Called Brendan the Navigator, patron of mariners; it is said he sailed across the Atlantic in 6th century
• St. Nicholas (December 6) - patron of sailors and ships
• St. Elmo (Erasmus) (June 2) - patron of sailors, especially against sudden storms and lightening
• St. Raymond of Pennafort (January 7)- miraculous story of him sailing on cloak across the Balearic Sea after being barred from boarding a ship
• St. Catherine of Siena (April 29) - often pictured holding a ship (represents the Church)
• St. Anthony of Padua (June 13) - ended up in Italy because a storm forced a ship he was on in opposite direction and so he did not return to Portugal
• St. Jude Thaddeus [& Simon] (October 28) - often pictured holding a ship (represents the Church)
• St. Peter Gonzales (April 15) - sometimes also called St. Elmo, patron of Spanish and Portuguese sailors
• St. Francis Xavier (December 4) - known for his missionary travels to Asia, often pictured with ship
• St. Peter (June 29) - the title "Barque (ship) of St. Peter" often used for Catholic Church
• St. Paul (June 29, February 10) - known for his missionary travels by ship to spread the Gospel, shipwrecked
• Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7) - Naval battle of Lepanto: Christians victorious against great odds, feast of OL of the Rosary instituted after her intercession
• St. Frances Cabrini (November 13) - Immigrated to US on ship, story of her dropping violets in paper boats as a child who wished to be a missionary

Past posts with sailing themes: Deviled Egg Boats, Victory Vessel Potatoes, Sts. Peter and Paul Sailing Cupcakes, St. Paul Apple & Cheese Ships


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Italian Flag-Shaped Caprese Salad

Here's an idea for any Italian Saint's Feast Day or Papal Celebration!  We used this idea to celebrate the Canonization of JPII and John XXIII this past weekend at the same time as we gathered for our Rome Pilgrimage Reunion.

 

Caprese salad is a common salad entrée found in Rome so we thought it quite fitting for an Italian feast! 

 

Don't forget that both St. Catherine of Siena and St. Francis of Assisi are the 2 Patron Saints of Italy...It would be quite fitting for their feast days as well:)

It's very simple to put together and even more festive in the shape of the Italian flag!

Ingredients:

Typically, Caprese consists of  sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. It's that easy and it's so fresh and delicious!

*I used a fresh mozzarella log and Roma tomatoes for the flag so the shapes would correspond in size.*

 

Depending on your taste, balsamic vinegar may be added or a different blend of spices.  Dining in Rome, we rarely experienced it being served with vinegar.

Instructions:

Wash and gently dry fresh basil leaves and set aside.  Slice fresh mozzarella log and tomatoes of choice.  (We used Roma) Arrange according to flag colors, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Buon appetite!

 

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St. Catherine of Siena Faith Cupcakes

Saint Catherine of Sienna Exchanging Her Heart with Christ " by Giovanni di Paolo, part of a three part altar panel, hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Saint Catherine of Siena
Virgin & Doctor of the Church
April 29 ~ New Calendar - April 30 ~ Traditional Calendar

 

Our catechesis today deals with Saint Catherine of Siena, a Dominican tertiary, a woman of great holiness and a Doctor of the Church. Catherine’s spiritual teachings are centered on our union with Christ, the bridge between earth and heaven. Her own virginal entrustment to Christ the Bridegroom was reflected in her celebrated visions. Catherine’s life also shows us the importance of the spiritual maternity exercised by so many women in every age. From this great saint let us learn to grow in holiness, love for the Lord and fidelity to his body, the Church. ~ BENEDICT XVI, GENERAL AUDIENCE, November 24, 2010

~~~

St. Catherine of Siena is assigned the virtue of faith for the Little Flowers Girls’ Group. 

The sunflower represents faith.

“Our faith may be compared to this flower, since its gaze is ever fixed above, and turned towards the glorious sun of divine truth.”

~ Fr. Lasance - Catholic Girl’s Guide

I decided to make this cupcake in honor of St. Catherine of Siena and the virtue of faith.

  I found the idea at Skip To My Lou.

St. Catherine of Siena Faith Cupcakes

SUPPLIES:

• yellow cake mix
• buttercream frosting (recipe below)
• chocolate frosting
• chocolate puff cereal
• cupcake liners
• golden yellow gel icing color
• star tip for icing

DIRECTIONS:

Bake cupcakes as desired. I used a box mix of yellow cake.

Frost the middle of the cake with chocolate frosting.

Dip the frosted cupcake into chocolate puff cereal.*  Don’t worry too much about the edges because you will be able to cover up any imperfections with the yellow icing, in the next step.

*Save this step for later if you plan to refrigerate the cupcake.  If not, the cereal will loose it’s crunch and become stale.

Using a star tip, frost around the chocolate top of the cupcake with buttercream frosting that has been dyed yellow using Golden Yellow gel icing color. 

 

1 batch of the buttercream frosting is enough for approximately 36 Faith Cupcakes or 1 dozen traditional cupcakes.

 

Recipe: Buttercream Frosting (taken from the Bird and the Berry)

Prep Time: --  |  Cook Time: --  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 3 cups of icing

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
• 2 tablespoons milk

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Slice butter into large bowl.  Cream shortening and butter with electric mixer.

Add vanilla.

Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often.

Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. 

The frosting should be creamy in texture and easy to pipe, but stiff enough to hold shape and not move off the cupcake.

NOTES:

The more you whip the frosting the more air you add to it and the creamier and fluffier it will be.

For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use.

Refrigerate in airtight container, this icing can be stored for 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

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Lily Lollipops for St. Joseph

Jessica has turned me on to making candy decorations and I've discovered that it's a very easy way to add a little elegance to a celebration! I'm making these as a favor for the St. Joseph's Day baby shower/luncheon I am hosting tomorrow. I ordered this lily lollipop mold and picked up some white peppermint candy melts and yellow vanilla melts from the local craft store. I've never made a two color candy before but I really wanted the lilies to have their signature yellow anthers in the middle. Here is what worked for me...

I melted a little of the yellow and using a toothpick, dabbed a few tiny drops right where the anther indentations were on the mold. Here's a close up:

Let that set in the fridge for a few minutes and then fill the lilies with the melted white candy as normal. I inserted the lollipop sticks and added another small dollop of white to the back side to help hold it in place. Once your candy is completely firm, pop them out of the mold. It was much easier than I imagined! I think I might make some as Easter favors for some friends. Or maybe for the feast of the Annunciation!

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Upside Down Pineapple Cake for Feast of St. Catherine of Siena

In honor of the feast of St. Catherine of Sienna, Megan shares about her family celebration honoring this great saint and the reason she decided to serve Upside Down Pineapple Cake.  Thank you Megan! 

"It was another bright sunny day and the Ipps of coursed seized it with outdoor play. Little did we realize that dinner would sneak up on us suddenly. Today we were (29th of April is the feast day) celebrating the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena. For her Feast Day, Cowboy and Tornado were going to help me make a pineapple upside down cake.

The pineapple rings symbolize how Catherine was espoused to Christ by a nuptial ring that was only visible to Saint Catherine. In addition, the pineapples sink delicately into golden brown sugar, not being completely in view just like the invisible wedding ring.

We used a simple pineapple boxed cake mix and added rings of pineapple and halved Marciano cherries. Next time, we'll need to grease our 9x13 pan before pouring melted butter and brown sugar into the pan. We forgot to grease the pan and the cake did not flip as easily onto the awaiting pure white platter. Any favorite upside down pineapple cake recipe will work, just be sure to have extra cherries for everyone to sample.

As the yummy cake baked for 40 minutes we whipped up fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken strips and mushrooms soaked in butter. It was great fun to celebrate this Italian saint and will be a tradition we hope to keep for years to come. Even six month Angel enjoyed helping!

The night ended with watching Saint Catherine of Siena (My Catholic Family)."

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

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St. Catherine of Siena - Peace Bread

Today is the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena, an Italian saint that worked tirelessly for God by advising and interceding on behalf of her Popes. Yes there were two at the time of her work here on earth. In the 1300's a schism divided the Church and Pope Gregory XI was at Rome while Pope Urban VI was at Avignon. It was Catherine that persuaded Gregory to return to Rome. She sacrificed herself for the peace of souls with her personal prayer and diplomacy.

Much like St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Catherine had a huge heart for the poor and baked bread daily for the poor of Siena. In honor of her Feast today, why not try some of this scrumptious bread. I'm calling it St. Catherine's Peace Bread for her great contribution to bringing peace in the fallen world of her times. I hope you'll try it, it's classic Itialian!!

Many blessings on this glorious Feast day!

Black Olive Bread (from The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, by Nancy Harmon Jenkins

For the Sponge: Make up to six hours or overnight ahead.

1 teaspoon active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Dissolve the yeast in warm water stirring with a wooden spoon. When the yeast is dissolved, stir in the flour. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and set aside to rise in a room that is on the cool side (60-70 degrees is ideal).

For the Bread:

1 1/2 cups warm water

4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon olive oil for the bowl

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pitted black olives or kalamata olives

1 Tablespoon grated orange zest (optional)

When you're ready to bake, add 1 1/2 cups warm water and 2 cups flour to the sponge. Stir to mix well. If you wish to set aside starter for the next baking, transfer 1 cup of the mixture to a glass jar or bowl, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator.

Add 1 1/2 cups more flour to the remaining yeast mixture along with the oil and salt. Stir to mix well, first with a wooden spoon, and then with your hands. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup flour on a bread board and turn out yeast mixture. Knead very well, incorporating the flour on the board for about 15 minutes. (Or you can cheat like I do and do this in your Bosch Mixer or Kitchen Aid with a bread hook). When dough is smooth and elastic and satiny, return it to the rinsed bowl which has been wiped with the olive oil. Turn the dough in the bowl to coat it and cover with a damp cloth. Set aside to double in bulk for about 2 hours. Turn dough out on floured board, punch down and knead briefly. Spread dough out and scatter the pitted olives over it. Now gather the dough together and knead just enough to distribute the olives throughout. Form two round loaves and set aside for another 30 minutes of rising. Preheat to 425 degrees and bake for 35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and crusty and feels hollow when you rap on it. Turn out onto a rack and leave for at least 2 hours before cutting.

I look forward to hearing about how your Peace Bread turns out. It would be a wonderful thing to share one with someone less fortunate for this special Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena!!

Many Blessings!

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Pasta Santa Caterina

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena! I am planning on serving an Italian dinner in her honor. We will be having Pasta Santa Caterina (adapted from Cooking With the Saints), Garlic Bread, Olives, Mixed Greens with Italian dressing and Cappuccino Mouse Trifle for dessert!

I hope you all have a very blessed feast!

Pasta Santa Caterina

Ingredients:

2 lb. ripe tomatoes (I used 2 cans diced tomatoes drained)
2 Tbsp. Italian parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh Basil, chopped (I used 1 Tbsp. dried Basil)
2 tsp. garlic minced
3 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano
6 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 lb. spaghetti

Directions:

Peel tomatoes, remove seeds and dice.

In a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients except the pasta.
Marinate at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Cook the pasta according to package directions, until tender. Drain thoroughly, and transfer pasta to a heated serving dish. Add the sauce and toss. Adjust seasonings and serve with extra Parmesan cheese.

Serves 8 to 10.

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that commemorating the Heavenly birthday of blessed Catherine, Thy virgin, we may both rejoice on her yearly festival and benefit by the example of so great a virtue. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Saint Catherine ~ Pray for Us!

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Lily Sandwiches

Lily Sandwiches for Our Lady

( from Catholic Traditions)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 2-3 TBSP milk
• 20 slices fresh white bread
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• green pepper
• carrot

Combine and work into a paste the cheese, cream, salt, and paprika.

Remove crusts from bread. Roll into cornucopia shape by bringing two straight edges together and letting them overlap slightly. Hold the edges together with a little bit of the cheese mixture, pressing gently. Roll and chill the bread "lilies" before filling.

After sandwiches are filled with the cream cheese mixture, insert a thin strip of carrot for a stamen. Cut bell pepper into leaf shapes and attach a leaf to each sandwich with additional cheese.

Chill sandwiches until time to serve.

Yield: 20 finger Sandwiches

The lily of the valley is a symbol for the Blessed Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary’s Immaculate Conception and represents the purity of both body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.

We made these sandwiches for our afternoon snack on the Feast of the Annunciation. Other than the peppers, they were a hit with my children.
I thought they were pretty yummy too! I posted the rest of what we did to celebrate on my other blog, Shower of Roses.

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