Reginette "little queen" Pasta for Our Lady's Queenship

Several past Catholic Cuisine posts have shared ideas for pasta meals based on the symbolism of the pasta shape. There are hundreds of kinds of Italian pastas, and each one has its own special name and each pasta name actually means something.

Mafaldine or malfada, also known as reginette or reginelle (Italian for "little queens") is a type of ribbon-shaped pasta. Mafaldine were named in honor of Princess Mafalda of Savoy which is why they are also called "little queens." The pasta is flat and wide, usually about ½ inch in width, with wavy edges on both sides. The delicately fluted edges remind one of a crown. It is prepared similarly to other ribbon-based pasta such as linguine and fettuccine. On this feast of the Queenship of Mary (August 22) a pasta shape referencing a queen is perfect. It would also be a great pasta to serve up on any of the queen saints' feast days, such as St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Elizabeth of Hungary or St. Helena.

A variety of sauces could be served with this pasta. I chose a sun-dried tomato pesto which highlights the fresh bounty of basil from my August garden. Since August - the month of the Assumption and the one dedicated to the Immaculate Heart - is such a Marian month and is tied to herb harvest in her honor, it was fitting.

Reginette with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

Ingredients:
10 sun-dried tomatoes
1 tbsp pine nuts
2 tbsp grated parmesan
10 basil leaves
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 oz pasta

Directions:
In a blender, place the tomatoes, pine nuts, cheese, basil leaves and oil and blend at maximum power. Cook the pasta until al dente in boiling salted water, drain and stir in the pesto.

NOTE: Reginette/Reginelle pasta is not one of the most common shapes of pasta available in grocery stores. But I did find it available from Kroger as part of their HemisFares pasta brand. It is also available online and is specialty stores.

Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us!

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St. Helena Wine

The following drink suggestion in honor today's feast was submitted by Kim Loney from Texas.

"We remember Saint Helena today not only because she found the True Cross, but because, although she was an Empress, she was still God's humble servant..." 
Saints for Girls by Neumann Press.

*Santa Helena Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

*Saints for Girls: A First Book for Little Catholic Girls

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La Croix to Celebrate the Triumph of the Cross

On this day of the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, we celebrate the discovery of the true cross by St. Helena and the dedication of the bascilica built on Calvary by Constantine.   It is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection.

Need an easy yet memorable idea to commemorate the day? Pick up some La Croix sparkling water to add to your meal or snacktime. The name Croix is French for "cross" so it can be a reminder of that great saving work of Christ for us.

Christ, through your holy cross save us. 

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Triumph of the Cross Cookie Hunt

This post was written by Catholic Cuisine contributor, Charlotte from Waltzing Matilda.


Today we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. From the Women for Faith and Family website...

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (or Triumph of the Cross) we honor the Holy Cross by which Christ redeemed the world. The public veneration of the Cross of Christ originated in the fourth century, according to early accounts, beginning with the miraculous discovery of the cross on September 14, 326, by Saint Helen, mother of Constantine, while she was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem -- the same day that two churches built at the site of Calvary by Constantine were dedicated.

A friend of mine put this idea in my head many, many moons ago and I always think of it when this feast day rolls around, especially when it rolls around on a water soaked day like today!

Make some simple cutout sugar cookies in the shape of a cross. Any cut-out cookie recipe will do although, it might be fun to try a chocolate version to simulate the wood of the cross. Frost all of the cookies white except for one. Frost that cookie red. Now, go hide the cookies all over the house during rest time or while the children are distracted. The red cross represents the True Cross that everyone should be hunting for and at the end of the hunt you should have a plate of cookies to enjoy together.


Now, if the idea of cookie crumbs all over your house just sends your spine a tremblin', never fear... you can wrap the cookies in cellophane or use paper crosses instead, maybe even craft stick crosses! Surprise your little hunters with a plate of cookies after they have hunted for and found the True Cross like St. Helena.

Also... this is a coloring page I made for St. Helena's feast day, but it could also be used for today. This link will take you to a short YouTube video on the church of Santa Croce and the story of St. Helena and the True Cross. And for more ideas for celebrating today, click here and stroll through the lovely posts from last year's blog fair.

*I think the wet weather outside kept my frosting from setting up and drying, so we ended up hunting for craft stick crosses!

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Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

Since today is the feast of St. Helena, I thought I would share another recipe containing basil since tradition says that sweet basil grew all over the hillside where Saint Helena discovered the Holy cross on which our Lord died.  This salad could also be served on September 14th, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

I made it a couple weeks ago for a family get together and it was SO delicious!

Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

adapted from Pioneer Woman

Dressing:

• 8 oz extra moist sundried tomatoes  (or 1 jar of sundried tomatoes, drained)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt
• pepper

Salad:

• 2 - 16 ounces bags of pasta
• 1 jar Kalamata or assorted olives
• 1-2 pints ripe cherry tomatoes, halved  (I used 1)
• 15-20 basil leaves, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Prepare dressing by blending sundried tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, and vinegar until tomatoes are chopped. Blend while drizzling in olive oil; continue blending until mixed together.

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and rinse with cold water until no longer hot. Pour  dressing over the pasta, add olives, and toss together. Add remaining ingredients, tossing together and adding more dressing until the salad is coated to your liking. Serve on a big platter with an extra sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Note:  To make a smaller salad, use just one bag of pasta and pour the extra dressing over a block of cream cheese.  Serve with crackers. 

Enjoy!!

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From Thy Bounty Fair -Feast of The Triumph of The Cross

Learn more about this Feast here, here and here.

Wow – What a Feast!

You know, I have always celebrated this Feast during Mass in the years past. But, teaching it and living the liturgical year is new to me. This is only my second year homeschooling, so learning the liturgical year has been a tremendous gift to my family. I have learned so much and now I am able to teach my children more about our faith through incorporating the gifts of our church traditions in our home and with our meals.

I feel so special to be a contributor to this blog! I am so impressed by all the women who post here…they are truly the help and resources I needed to get started on this new journey my family is on. Thank you Jessica for this blog!

First we will start with Jessica. Of coarse, she will blow your socks off! Have you seen her new painted wooden saints? So cute!! She claims she is not an artist – but I think she is just being humble. She has really done a great job. Her St. Helena and the most Holy Cross will be so memorable to her kids.

She is always letting her kids learn hands on. Her daughter looks like she is having fun helping make the cross shaped cookies. Yum! Speaking of yummy, her pasta recipe and tomato basil mozzarella salad are definitely going on my list of recipes to try! They ended the evening watching a lovely family movie together. God, please bless this family!

Now let’s visit Mary. She also has a wonderful blog! She explains to us how Basil is an herb we associate with this Feast. Her Focaccia Dough Recipe turned out great! I love that she added the sun-dried tomato (for the 5 wounds). Mary also shared with us a great craft idea. I love the woven cross kit. Lord, please live among them always!

Join me in swinging by Marci’s place. Like my blog, hers is new this year. Go check it out, she has some great post and resources. Take a look at the pic of her Basil, tomato and mozzarella pita sandwich, it looks so refreshing! She shared her plan to light a candle and read with the kids about St. Helena and then to color pictures of the cross. What a cozy memory for them, especially when they topped it of with piece of cake that was baked in the form of a cross – with chocolate sprinkles. Holy Spirit, please dwell with this family.

Follow me over to Eileen’s. She has so many great ideas! Her family loves her Good Friday meal and her crown of thorns. (we do this to, it is a great reminder for the kids) This is a great way to bring those ideas into the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. To recall his sufferings from Good Friday and to merge those reflections to this Feast is a wonderful idea. I bet her kids really “get” what this Feast is about. They started with a procession using the crucifix singing “Lift High the Cross”….how wonderful! Every part of her meal had a wonderful meaning. Her Onion-Basil Foccacia with Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Slices make me hungry just looking at it. For dessert – Exchanging the Crown of Thorns for a Crown Cake. Wonderful!!! What a faith-filled Feast! Mother Mary, pray for Son's blessing for them.

Now we check out Suzanne’s trusty blog – ( have you ever seen her homemade diaper wipes and solution. Inspiring!) I love how she had the kids make their cross and physically bring it to the foot of the cross at church. That will be stick with them for years to come.
Her idea to make snacks in a cross shape is a fun way teach about this Feast! Her girls were also able to enjoy a memory together braiding bread into cross shapes. What a lovely bread basket they made together as a family. Togetherness – what a gift! Jesus, hold them close to you.

As for mine I have posted it, but I have had trouble uploading my pics -- so it looks a bit boring...LOL Check back soon to see if I have my pics uploaded yet. Lord please grant my family your strength and grace.

Have you been by Heather’s blog lately? Her blog is full great stuff. She shares a great pic of her cutie and the fun cookies they made last year!

Lord Jesus, please bestow your blessings upon them.

We all know Dawn and how awesome her blog is! We look at her post from last year. Have you ever seen her family handprint cross? Priceless!You can't buy memories like that. Her family shares so many fun memories making crafts and baking together. She made a cross shaped cake also, with sprinkles in the middle in the shape a heart shape. Simple and beautiful ideas for sharing this feast with the children.

God, please grant them your peace.

Thank you to you all for sending me your submissions! You are all inspiring to me and have so many great ideas for teaching our kids how to Glorify our Lord in all that we do -- even cooking!

Now we get to look forward to the next fair coming at the end of September. Look for it over at Jenn's, she will be hosting.

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An Easy Pesto Recipe...

...For the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross!

In addition to the wonderful list of suggestions that Mary shared earlier this week, I wanted to share a couple simple recipes using Basil.

In one of my favorite Catholic cookbooks, A Continual Feast, the author tells us that "This holy day is one of strict fasting among the Eastern Orthodox. In Greece, the priest distributes sprigs of sweet basil to his congregation, because tradition says that basil grew all over the hillside where Helena discovered the cross. " The author, Evelyn Vitz, goes on to suggest the following recipe for Pesto (a wonderful sauce for pasta made with fresh basil) since, "With this dish you can keep the spirit of the day as one of abstinence from meat and still serve something delicious and symbolic."

I just made the recipe in preparation for tomorrow, and not only is it quick and easy, it is DELICIOUS!!

Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tespoons finely chopped garlic
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1-1 1/2 cups olive oil (I found one cup to be plenty)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (I left the cheese out of a portion of ours, since a few of us have dairy intolerances. It still turned out very yummy!)

Directions:

Combine the basil, salt, pepper, garlic, pine nuts, and 1 cup of oil in the blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth; stop the blender every few seconds to stir the mixture slightly, and to press the leaves down. (If you happen to have a Vita-Mix, this won't be necessary and use the lowest speed.)

The mixture when pureed should be slightly runny; if it is still too thick, add more olive oil. Pour the sauce into a bowl, and stir in the grated cheese.

Serve hot on pasta.

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Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad

Tradition says that sweet basil grew all over the hillside where Saint Helena discovered the Holy cross on which our Lord died.

Here is a recipe for one of my favorite ways in which to use basil:

Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad

Ingredients:

Tomatoes, sliced
Fresh Basil, carefully chop leaves to prevent bruising
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, sliced
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Assemble the salad with slices of tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella slices. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the salad. Then add a dash of vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

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