All Saints Day, November 1, All Souls Day, November 2, Baking with the Brown Sisters

Bread Dough All Saint Dolls, Mint Oreo Truffles, Pumpkin All Souls Cakes

One of my favorite activities is to bake. Yesterday I had the opportunity to bake with these three young ladies, the daughters of Cal and Luis Brown. We mixed, prepared, and baked All Saint Bread Dough Dolls, a traditional European bread that is made not only on All Saints Day but on the feast day of any of your favorite saints, left item. Center is Mint Oreo Truffles which is a contemporary celebratory treat, and to the left is Pumpkin Soul Cakes. Below are more pictures and brief write-ups and/or links.

It is this book, Cooking with the Saints that we found the Saints Bread Dough Doll recipe. The upper righthand corner of the book shows the finished product. Here is the Recipe from page 167.

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp. dry yeast

1/2 cup of milk - I used 2%

4 tbsp. sugar

3 cups All-purpose flour

4 tbsp. cold butter

pinch of salt

1 lemon

2 eggs separated

DIRECTIONS: Oven 400 Fahrenheit

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk, 98 - 110 degrees F

Add 1 tsp. sugar and 1 tsp, flour. Stir and let stand for 15 minutes

In a bowl, add flour, sugar and salt. 

Grate the lemon rind. I used a zester. This gives the bread a wonderful flavor. Add to flour mixture.

Cut cold butter into small cubes. Add to flour mixture and knead with your hands or a pastry cutter until the flour mixture is crumbly. 

Add yeast mixture, then 

Add egg whites to flour mixture and knead thoroughly until dough is smooth.

Roll dough out on lightly dusted pastry mat to 1/2 inch thickness. Cover and rest dough for 15 - 20 minutes.

Using cookies cutters, such as ginger bread men and women, cut out shapes for saint dolls. You can add trim with left over dough for hair, boots, symbols of your favorite saint. The recipe says to cut out with a sharp knife. I did that the first time I made the bread dough dolls, but I knew it wouldn't work for children. I will always use cookie cutters in the future. It is much easier.

Mix the egg yolks with a tbsp. of water or a little more for the egg wash. Brush the egg wash on your saint dolls and any leftover dough you are baking. I fashioned my leftover dough in snail like shapes!

Bake dolls at 400 degrees F for 15 - 20 minutes. 

Makes 4 large dolls and many small left over buns.

Kneading the Bread Dough

                                                                                  

Arranging the Cookie Cutter Figures

Mint Oreo Truffles being dipped in chocolate

Here is the link for the Mint Oreo Truffles. They are yummy. Be sure you have plenty of friends to share them with you because they are addictive!

https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/mint-oreo-truffles/

Soul Cakes for All Souls Day

There are many customs both secular and religious associated with the Eve of All Saints Day, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. One charming religious custom found in the Old North Country of England is the offering of a plump, fruity bun to children as they go from house to house begging for a treat. According to the custom, children beg for Soul Cakes either from their neighbors or at a party. They say,

 "A soul cake, a soul cake,

 I pray thee good mistress, a soul cake. 

An apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry, 

Any good thing to make us all merry.

 A soul cake, a soul cake,

 Please good missus a soul cake! 

One for Peter and two for Paul

And three for Him who make us all."

A Soul Cake is then given to the child in return for prayers promised for the loved ones that have departed. 

Adapting the practice to contemporary life seems to be a delightful way for parents or teachers to encourage children to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. All children can be given a Soul Cake, say a Hail Mary for the souls in purgatory and a fun and devotional custom has begun.

We adapted the traditional fruity bun to a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin. Below is a photo and the recipe.

Adding the pumpkin batter to the muffin tin

Pumpkin Muffins or One Loaf of Pumpkin Bread

This recipe made 12 muffins and two mini loaf pans 

Ingredients

1 cup of canned pumpkin

2 eggs

1/3 cup of water

Sift together:

1 2/3 cup of All-Purpose Flour

1 ½ cups of sugar

½ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

¾ tsp. of salt

¼ tsp. cloves

¼ tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. cinnamon

Directions: Heat oven to 350 Fahrenheit

Stir wet mixture into flour mixture incorporating well. Add ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins if desired.  For muffins bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Check after 18 minutes by poking a toothpick in the center of one. For a loaf pan, bake for 50 – 60 minutes. Test with a knife for doneness. Enjoy

Happy Feast of All Saints!

 Together let us pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory on the Feast of All Souls

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and bless is the fruit of your womb. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

St. Simon and St. Jude, Feast Day October 28

Icon painting written at Malling Abbey
Kent, England

Saints Simon and Jude are two of the twelve apostles selected by Jesus to carry His teachings and actions out to the world. The apostles were the first bishops of the Catholic Church.

Not too much is known about Simon. Both he and Jude were born in the first century A.D. or at the very end of the years before Christ's birth, B.C. Simon's name appears in the New Testament four times: Matt. 10, Mark 3, Luke 6, and Acts 1. He is called Simon the Zealot or Cananaean. Some think that means he is from Cana. St. Jerome thought that, but the word cananaean means zealous in Hebrew. Others thought he was of the Zealot Party, but Simon was zealous for the Hebrew Law not a member of the Zealot Party.  

It is not known where Simon preached the Gospel. There are many different early Christian traditions which claim he preached it in their region. We can not be certain. We do not know for sure where he died. It is said that he was martyred, and it may have been that he was cut in half with a saw. The saw is attributed to his martyrdom. His relics are said to be buried under the altar at St. Peter's in Vatican City.

There is a bit more known about St. Jude. It is believed that he was a cousin of Jesus and the brother of James the Lesser. His name appears four times in the list of Apostles along with St. Simon, Matt. 10,  Mark 3, Luke 6, and Acts. 1. He is the author of the Letter of Jude, an inspired, canonical writing in the New Testament. He preached the Gospel in Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. It is not known where he met his death, but tradition suggests he was martyred possibly in Beriut. His relics are to be found under the altar at St. Peter's in Vatican City along with St. Simon

St. Jude is the patron of desperate cases and in that capacity is pictured with a medallion of Christ on his chest and a small flame of fire coming out of his head. St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernardine of Siena had visions where God asked them to accept St. Jude as the saint of impossible cases. Many pilgrims praying to St. Jude have reported receiving numerous graces through his intercession.

Doublequick Dirges Cakes

This recipe is what many like to call "easy peasy"! It requires very little effort and it is tasty.  It is found in Ann Ball's book, Catholic Traditions in Cooking. She mentions these dirge cakes or what we call donuts as traditional food for the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude in England. Here is the recipe with directions for frying them.

INGREDIENTS                                                                EQUIPMENT

1 can refrigerated biscuits                                                 Pastry mat

Small amount flour for dusting                                         Large pot for frying

Oil for frying - vegetable, peanut, canola                        Slotted spoon

2 tsp. cinnamon                                                                Frying thermometer

1/2 cup sugar                                                                    Plate with paper towels

                                                                                          Rolling pin

DIRECTIONS: Heat oil to 365 degrees Fahrenheit

1. Lightly flour a pastry mat. 

2. Mix sugar and cinnamon and have it ready to sprinkle on the donuts when they are fried.

3. Open biscuits. Place each biscuit on mat. Flatten one at a time with a rolling pin. With your finger make a hole in the middle of each biscuit.

4. Be sure oil is 365 degrees. (This part of the recipe is not for young bakers. They can help with taking out biscuits and flattening with the rolling pin.)  The pan you use should be heavy duty. Pour in the oil between 3 to 4 inches high and heat to 365 degrees. If the oil gets too hot, lower the heat.

5. Carefully with a slotted spoon place the donut/biscuits one at a time in the hot oil. My pan held three donuts at a time. Fry on one side for about 90 - 120 seconds. Then turn and fry for 90 - 120 seconds. The donuts should be golden brown. Remove and let the excess oil drip back into the pan. Place donut on plate with paper towel to absorb oil. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Repeat with all biscuit/donuts.

ENJOY!

Children's Book on Saints Simon and Jude

Many of you know the author, Fr. Jude Winkler, O.F.M, Conv. He has written a great variety of books for children on the saints, sacraments, Catholic traditions, liturgical seasons, and more. This is one of his books on the apostles. Sts. Simon and Jude are included in this 32 page paperback. It is available on Amazon and in many Catholic bookstores.

PRAYER TO STS. SIMON AND JUDE

O God, who by the blessed Apostles

have brought us to acknowledge your name,

graciously grant,

through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude,

that the Church may constantly grow

by increase of the peoples who believe in you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

                                                         Happy Feast!

 

 

St. John of Capistrano Feast day, October 23, St. John Capistrano Mission, CA

I chose to feature the feast day of St. John of Capistrano partly so I could share this lovely children's book by Leo Politi with  you. 

As you know there are many wonderful feast days in October to honor the saints and yummy food traditions to go with them.

St. John of Capistrano was born in Italy in  the region of Abruzzi, 1385. His father was a knight who died when John was just a young boy. He was exceptionally bright and his mother saw to it that he received a superb education in Civil and Church law.

At the age of 26 he was appointed governor of Perugia located just north east of Assisi. He governed with great integrity. His gifts of leadership and right judgment were appreciated by a great many. In 1426 while trying to resolve a dispute between Perugia and the House of Malatestas, he was thrown into prison by the nobles of Malatesta. It was during this time that he had a vision of St. Francis of Assisi and began reconsidering the direction of his life. At age 30 he entered the Franciscan Order and was ordained a priest friar at the age of 34.

St. John Capistrano, Pray for us!

His vocation as a Franciscan was exceptional like those of other followers of St. Francis - St. Anthony of Padua and St. Bernardino of Siena. His gifts in civil, church leadership, and preaching cried out for him to serve the needs of people in a century weakened by the Bubonic plague, endangered by internal religious animosities and torn by civil and national hostilities. St. John Capistrano worked tirelessly on all fields of strife seeking to mend and heal numerous ruptures and divisions. His efforts were sought after by Popes Nicholas V and Callixtus III.  He died shortly after leading a division of the army in the successful defense of the city of Belgrade, October 23, 1456, at age 70. Belgrade at that time was part of the kingdom of Hungary. He was canonized in 1724.

St. Junipero Serra thought so highly of St. John Capistrano's selflessness and achievements that he named one of the missions in California after him. It is at this mission, San Juan Capistrano,  that the cliff swallows return on March 19 or thereabout to spend the season nesting and raising their young and leave on October 23 to fly 6,000 miles to spend their winter in Argentina.

Children's book:

Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi is the story of a young boy about six or seven years old who lives near San Juan Capistrano Mission. He is a child who loves the grounds of the mission, the flowers, birds, and the grounds keeper, Julian. The illustrations are colorful and the story is very sweet. There is a bit of the history of the Franciscans and the missions included as background to the story.  It is recommended for children 6 - 9, but I would say 4 - 8. It is available on Amazon. 

Almas Pite, Hungarian Apple Pie

Recipe below

INGREDIENTS                                                EQUIPMENT

Dough

2 1/2 cups of All-purpose flour                            Mixing bowls

1/2 cup of cold butter                                Measuring spoons

1 /2 cup of confectionary sugar                            Measuring cups

1 teaspoon baking powder                                    Zester

1 /2 teaspoon vanilla extract                                Grater or Food Processor

1 egg                                                                    Pastry brush

1 tbsp. of sour cream or more                              Parchment paper

Pinch of salt                                                         Rolling pin

1 tsp. lemon zest                                                  Sifter

Baking spray or butter                                         Baking pan 11" X 7"

Apple Filling                                                        

6 tart apples - I used Granny Smith

1/2 cup confectionary sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 tbsp. ground walnuts (optional) I did not use them

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 egg for egg wash

Shredded Apples in Food Processor

    DIRECTIONS: Preheat the over to 350 F or 180 C

1. Measure flour into a large bowl. 

2. Cut the butter into small cube-size pieces and mix by hand into the flour. You can use a pastry cutter if you do not like getting your hands messy. The mixture will be crumbly.

3. In a small bowl sift 1/2 confectionary sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together so there are no little spice or powder balls. Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Whisk well, then add the egg. Mix thoroughly.

4. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture. Add a bit more sour cream if the mixture seems dry. If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more flour. Knead thoroughly.

5. Divide the dough into 2 balls and let them rest for 20 minutes.

6. Peel, core, and divide the apples into four quarters. Shred the apples. I used the food processor which is pictured above. I put two apples in at a time and processed on high for about 10 seconds. Then I pulsed the apples for a few seconds until there were no large bits. The apples look like grated cabbage. You can use a grater on the largest side if you wish. I repeated the process. It went very quickly. If your apples are very juicy you must strain out the juice after shredding. I did not have to strain the Granny apples after they were shredded.

7. In a small bowl mix confectionary sugar and cinnamon thoroughly. Add to the shredded apple with the lemon juice. Mix well.

8. Spray or butter and flour the baking pan. Set aside.

9. On a floured surface, roll out one of the balls of dough to the size of the baking pan. Place in pan.

10. If you use walnuts, sprinkle half of them on the rolled dough, then add the apples and the remainder of the walnut ; otherwise add the apples directly to the rolled dough.

11. Roll out the second ball of dough to cover the filling. Place on top of the filling. Pinch the edges and then make little slits in the dough to let out the air.

12.Whisk egg and add a bit of water. Whisk again and brush on the top of the dough. The dough should not be soggy.

13. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown. 

14. Remove from the oven and let it cool, Then dust with confectionary sugar. 

15. Cut into squares. Makes approximately 16 squares. It is a very tasty dessert, especially with coffee, tea, cappuccino, or hot chocolate.

PRAYER TO ST. JOHN CAPISTRANO

Lord, Thou raised up Saint John of Capistrano to give Thy people comfort in their trials. May Thy Church enjoy unending peace and be secure in Thy protection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen

St. John Capistrano, ora pro nobis!

                                                   

Coronation of Our Lady of La Leche, October 10, Feast day, October 11

New statue of Our of Our Lady of La Leche
before the crowning.

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of La Leche, October 11. It is a feast day on the Diocesan Calendar of St. Augustine, Florida. Since 2011 it has been a feast day in the diocese.  In 2019 the bishops of the United States raised this oldest Marian shrine to a national shrine. Visitors come from around the world to visit and pray to the nursing mother and her Divine Child.

Yesterday the new statue of Our Lady of La Leche was honored by a canonical crowning in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine at a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, Archbishop Metropolitan of Madrid, the representative of Pope Francis. This image of the nursing Madonna and Child's roots go back to Spain. The devotion to the Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of La Leche was brought to Florida in the late 1500s  by Franciscan priests. 

The image of the nursing mother of Jesus has been at the Shrine for over four hundred years. There have been slightly different representations of the image, but all show Mary nursing Jesus. This image has inspired devotion and love in many different people over the centuries, including the Timucuan natives of  northeast Florida. They were impressed with the humanity of God who became a little Child for love of all people.  So powerful did this image speak to them that many became Catholic Christians, and later in their history were martyred by the English for their deep Catholic faith.

Couples over the centuries have visited the Shrine and have turned to Our Lady of La Leche and asked her to intercede with her  Divine Son when faced with the sorrow of infertility. Many prayers were answered resulting in successful pregnancies; others found their answer in adoption; and still others found their answer in Christ's unique plan for them. Mothers sought out Our Lady of La Leche for safe deliveries of their babies and success in nursing a child. The Madonna turned away no one seeking help for family or personal challenges. There are documented miracles of her intercession, but more than that the Shrine is a place of peace and good will. Visitors comment on the peace that they experience when walking the grounds of the first permanent settlement in the United States referred to as the Sacred Acre by President John F. Kennedy. A name which remains with us still today.

I have left a link for you to view some or all the canonical coronation. You can skip to the actual crowning which is after the lengthy Spanish/English homily. The image below is the crowned Lady of La Leche and her Divine Son crowned.  I added my own video of the parade of the crowned statues when they brought Mother and Divine Child from the Cathedral Basilica to the Shrine grounds to place  them permanently in the historic chapel. I have a longer one but I have not been able so far to transfer the link via email. If you have the opportunity, I hope you will come and visit this beautiful shrine and share in the many blessings and graces it has to offer.

This is a picture after the crowned statue was placed in the historic chapel
on the grounds of the Shrine.

                            Short video on the statue on parade

Canonical Crowning of Our Lady of La Leche

Here is a simple, Spanish recipe taken from the feast day of St. Teresa of Avila which in on October 15. I don't think she minds my using it for Our Lady of La Leche since both are Spanish!

Pan de Santa Teresa

                                                                         (St. Teresa's Bread)

This is a perfect breakfast bread for all those who like French toast; it is a cousin of French toast!

INGREDIENTS                                                                        EQUIPMENT

 

2 Cups of milk                                                                            Measuring cups

3 Tbsp. sugar                                                                               Measuring spoons

1 Cinnamon stick                                                                        Bread Knife

1 Lemon peel                                                                               Lemon zester or peeler

1 Loaf of Italian or French bread                                                Small pan

3 Eggs                                                                                          Small bowl

Pinch of sale                                                                                Wire whisk

Olive oil or butter                                                                       Baking dish

Cinnamon sugar                                                                           Frying pan

                                                                                                      Strainer

                                                                                                      Tongs

DIRECTIONS:                                                                            SERVES: 3 - 4

1. Cut the loaf of bread into 12 slices 3/4 inch apiece. You may not use all the bread. Stale bread works well. Set aside.

2. Add milk, sugar, cinnamon stick and lemon peel in small pan and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the flavors are immersed throughout.

3. Place the slices of bread in a large baking dish and pour the milk through a strainer over the bread. Set aside.

4. Beat the eggs in a bowl with the salt. Be sure the eggs are well-beaten. With the tongs take one slice of bread and dip completely in the egg mixture. Repeat with each slice of bread. If necessary beat another egg(s) if needed to coat all 12 slices. Place in baking dish.

5. Heat frying pan to medium low. Add a few slices of coated bread at a time. Fry until golden brown on one side and then flip and finish cooking on the other side. Repeat until all slices are fried.

6. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, top with maple syrup, or spread your favorite jam. A dollop of whipped cream is always a treat!

Enjoy and Happy Feast of Our Lady of La Leche and St. Teresa of Avila!

                                                                        

Prayer to Our Lady of La Leche

There is no children's book that I am aware of at this time written about Our Lady of La Leche and her Divine Son in English. If I find one I will add it in the future.

The Blessings of the Animals with Piper, Buster, Buddy, and Meatball, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4

St. Francis of Assisi,1186 - 1226, is a much beloved saint. He has inspired a deep and gentle love in many individuals despite differences in religious beliefs. His love of all God's creatures captured in his canticles and legends continue to uplift us. Below you will find pictures and a recipe for making dog treats for your favorite canine.

Illustration from one of our favorite children's
authors Tomie de Paola from his book,
Francis the Poor Man of Assisi

Here is Piper, age 2, our son, Tom, and his wife, Meredith's, daughter celebrating the Feast of St. Francis by making, baking, and giving the family dogs some dog treats. The recipe is included in this post. We also include pictures from the Blessing of the Animals at St. Casimir Catholic Church, Baltimore, MD, where our daughter-in-law took their dog, Meatball, for his first blessings this weekend. We love our eleven grandchildren, and we love the three dogs that are included in our various families. We hope you will try this recipe for your family dogs or if you don't have one for your neighbors' dogs.

Yep, we are going to make some dog treats!

Ooo this is sticky!

Boy, do they look good!

Hey, Buster & Buddy look what I made you!

Blessing of the Animals at St. Casimir Catholic Church

Saturday afternoon, October 2, 2021

Meatball, Mike and Cogan's dog receiving a blessing

Peanut Butter Spice Dog Treat Recipe

 

INGREDIENTS                                                                                               EQUIPMENT

1 Cup pumpkin puree                                                                                Medium-size mixing bowl

2 Eggs                                                                                                            Large spoon

 1/3 Cup of peanut butter natural, NO                                                  Measuring cups

Xylitol or sugar substitute                                                                         Measuring spoons

2 Cups whole wheat flour, all-purpose may                                        Pastry mat or rolling board

be used. I used whole wheat.                                                                  Parchment paper

½ Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.                                      Baking pans

Check pumpkin pie spice that it has no nutmeg                                 Cookie cutters

in it. Can be toxic to some dogs. I used cinnamon.                            Rolling pin

 

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking pans with parchment paper.

1.      In mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter. Combine thoroughly.

2.      Add spice to flour, then add to pumpkin mixture stirring until just combined.

3.      Lightly flour pastry mat or rolling board. Break off baseball size amount of dough. Roll out, using extra flour if needed to keep from sticking.

4.      Using cookie cutters, cut out designs of your choice. I used dog bone cookie cutters. Repeat with remaining dough.

5.      Place shapes on the prepared baking pans.

6.      Bake for 20 to 40 minutes. I baked my dog treats for 30 minutes. The longer they bake, the crunchier they are.

7.      Remove from oven. Cool on cooling rack. They may be stored in an airtight container for one month or in the freezer for six months.

8.      This recipe makes 3 or 4 dozen treats depending on the size of your cookie cutter. 

Happy Feast of St. Francis, lover of all creation!

A Prayer for Blessing Animals 

Blessed are You, Lord God,

Creator of all that lives!

On the fifth and sixth days of creation

You called forth every kind of fish in the sea

and bird in the air,

and all animals on the land.

You inspired St. Francis

to call all creatures his brothers and sisters,

for he saw in them a sign of Your fatherly care for us.

And so we ask You to bless these animals (or this animal) +

By the power of Your love

enable them to live according to You plan.

And may we always do Your will

and praise You

for all of Your beauty in creation.

Praised be You, my Lord

in all Your creatures!

Amen.

Definition of Blessing: A blessing  or benediction is a prayer invoking God's power and care upon some person, (animal), place, thing, or undertaking. The prayer of benediction acknowledges God as the source of all blessing. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1671

Here is our  family favorite. It is still available on Amazon and in bookstores.

St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for Us and All Those Whom We Love