Feast of Corpus Christi
The Feast of Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ) goes back to the early 1200s in medieval Europe. However, in 1264, Pope Urban IV decided to extend the Feast of Corpus Christi to the universal Church. He wanted to strengthen faith in and devotion to the Eucharist at the time when a number of evangelical movements in France and Italy were embracing ideas and attitudes that were inconsistent with the faith of the Catholic Church. Some denied the Eucharist was sacrament. In reaction, popular movements of intense devotion to the Eucharist sprang up in northern Europe. The focus on the devotions was the host itself. It became customary to reserve the host in the tabernacle, as is still done today, and to expose it in the monstrance on the alter. The practice of ringing bells at the time of the elevation of the host so that everyone in church would look at it was also begun during this period.
There is another reason that Pope Urban IV decided to make Corpus Christi a universal feast day. An event took place in Italy that excited the local population. In the small Italian town of Bolsena, located in Umbria, a German priest who was on a pilgrimage celebrated Mass in the Church of Santa Christina. The unusual thing that happened during the celebration of Mass was that the German priest it seemed had experienced some serious doubts about the transubstantiation of the bread and wine during the Mass. He had begun to doubt that they became the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
During the Mass, after the consecration, his doubts disappeared. He saw blood issuing from the host and staining the alter cloth. Reports of the miracle quickly spread throughout the village of Bolsena. A procession was formed which brought the bloodstained cloth to Pope Urban IV who was in Orvieto at the time. It was only after seeing the bloody cloth that the Pope decided to make Corpus Christi a feast for the Church throughout the world. About 750 years later Catholics still celebrate the feast given birth by the revitalized faith of a German priest and the good people of a small Italian village.
Blueberry Basics
Select blueberries that are plump and juicy. You will want to make sure that they have NO trace of mold or discoloration. Look for firm and uniformly sized blueberries that are deep in color.
Store your blueberries in the refrigerator in a moisture-proof container for up to 3 days. If you will be eating your blueberries within 24 hours of picking then store them at room temperature. If you would like to use them at a later date then just pop them in the freezer. Make sure NOT to wash them before freezing.
Prepare your berries by washing just before using them.
Uses for blueberries are virtually endless. They can be eaten out of hand, in pies, pancakes, salads, salsa, jams, jellies and cakes. Be creative and create your own blueberry dishes!
Tiny New York Kitchen Says Thank You To All Of The Service Men & Women Who Have Protected And Protect Our Country. You Are Appreciated!
Easy Non-Salad Radish Ideas
I love radishes and am always drawn to the pretty color of a pile of radishes. Most of us just slice them into a green salad and the left-over radishes die a fateful death in the fridge. Here are some non-salad ideas that will expand your radish repertoire.
Radish Sauté – It doesn’t really occur to many people that you can cook radishes (as with cucumbers). It’s so simple to sauté radishes in olive oil or butter. They are delicious and make you appreciate radishes in a while new way.
Kimchi – Sprinkle the radishes with a bit of kosher salt and a little chili paste. Toss together and then pack them into a glass jar. Place in the back of the fridge for two weeks. Excellent on top of a burger.
Butter & Sea Salt – A fine butter and a pinch of sea salt on top of a radish slice make the perfect summer bite.
Radish “Sauerkraut” – Slice 1 pound of radishes and toss with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Pack tightly into a glass jar. Weigh down with a wrapped can and place on a shelf for two weeks. Makes a great addition to a sandwich.
Shaved & Lightly Poached In A Tasty Liquid – Slivers of radish dropped in a simmering stock and/or wine for 10 seconds are a great compliment to fresh fish. They let go of their bite, but retain some of their unique crunch we all know and love.
Braised – Sauté a little onion and garlic. Add in some radish quarters and a healthy splash of red wine. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of lemon or dash of vinegar. Excellent draped over a grilled steak or pork chop.
Pickled – Slice some 1/4 inch coins and throw them into a jar. Pour brine over them (1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 cup water and 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar). You may want to throw in a few dried chilis if you want a bit of spice. Let sit in your fridge for a week.
Soup – Simmered for 30 minutes in a soup. The radishes will take on a sweet and velvety character.
Grated – Grate the radishes along with some freshly grated ginger and use as a condiment with any oily fish such as trout or mackerel.
Roasted – Quarter and toss with a little olive oil. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Roast in an oven at 425º F for 20 minutes. They should be a little brown and will become sweet. Toss them with some toasted nuts. They are a great side dish at any potluck picnic.
Portuguese “Port” Muffins
Most of you know that I don’t write about a product or a restaurant unless I really like it. These “Ports” or Portuguese muffins have become a big thing here in New York City. Port Muffins are a bit larger and flatter than regular English muffins. They’re a bit sweeter, but not too sweet or sugary. They are billed as “The 3 Meal Muffin” because you can have them for breakfast, use them for sandwiches for lunch or use them for hamburger buns for dinner. I like to serve them toasted for a weekend breakfast when making bacon and eggs. I love to slather them with apricot-peach jam.
Port Muffins are made by Central Bakery in Fall River, MA. Central Bakery is a family owned bakery that’s been operating since 1975. Apparently, the owner, Dave Lopes’, grandmother brought her recipe from the Azores in Portugal hence the bakery was born. The muffins were originally molded by hand and soon became an instant hit. These days the muffins are made by using a small electric bread mold in order to produce thousands of muffins per week. Currently, these Port Muffins are a bit difficult to find. I know that you can find them at Citarella and Dean & Deluca here in New York City. If you can’t find them in your area then ask your local grocer to stock them or special order them for you. I have totally broken up with the commercial English muffins (you know who you are) and will only buy Port Muffins. As a matter of fact I buy extras and store them in the freezer so that I don’t run out.
Here is what my West Coast Portuguese friend Carol says, “These muffins are the greatest! They remind me in a sort of way of my mother’s Portuguese sweet bread in a muffin form! Yum”
Here’s the info:
Central Bakery
711 Pleasant Street
Fall River, MA 02723
(508) 675-7620
Tell them that Tiny New York Kitchen sent you!
There Website is:
Happy Mother’s Day To All Of The Mothers, Grandmothers, Step-Mothers & Women Who Mother Those In Need Of Mothering!
Mother’s Day Brunch
Put mom in a good mood this Sunday and make Mother’s Day a special day with a memorable brunch. When my children were younger they often made me breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day. They made me promise to stay in bed propped up on pillows while they wobbled trays of pancakes, sausage, fresh juice and chopped fruit to my bed. These breakfasts made by little hands were so sweet. They were so proud of themselves that they would hop up on my bed all smiles asking if they each could have a sausage or piece of bacon. Before I knew it they would eat my entire “breakfast in bed.”
Eggs Benedict
Mother’s Day Scramble
Eggs Florentine With Waffles & Hollandaise
Pecan Pancakes
Lemon Curd French Toast
Melon Balls
Mixed Berries With Crème Fraiche
Raspberry Parfaits With Yogurt & Granola
Cherry Pecan Scones
Cherry Almond Quick Bread
Roasted Tomatoes
Hash Browns With Fresh Chives
Sweet Potato Hash Browns
Smoked Sausage
Smoked Bacon
Smoked Salmon
Freshly Brewed Coffee or Tea
Fresh Squeezed OJ
Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
Mother’s Day Mimosas
Citrus Spritzers
Bloody Marys
Feast of Saint George
April 23rd is the Feast of Saint George. For all of his popularity little is known about Saint George except that he was born in Cappadocia (Turkey), that he was a soldier and suffered martyrdom. The crusaders brought his fame to the West. He is the patron saint of England, Aragon, Portugal and certain parts of Germany. Before the Conquest many English churches had been named after Saint George and the story of his brave deeds were revered everywhere.
Saint George’s best known deed is legendary. Legend has it that he slayed a horrible dragon in order to save a maiden who had been vowed to a monster. The story goes that Saint George transfixed the dragon with a spear and then told the maiden to lead the monster around so that he could put an end to him. St. George was very well known by that time as a man of God and a confessor of His works. Apparently, after witnessing the miraculous slaying of the dragon, 20,000 people were converted to Christ. The king begged St. George stay in exchange for half of the kingdom. St. George refused the offer because he wanted to ride on and carry God’s message.
Saint George is especially honored in England as its great patron. Flags are flown on this feast day, but in earlier times this feast day was filled with more elaborate celebrations (processions, jousts & races). The dishes served on this day should be English favorites such as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
In Allier, a winegrowing region of France, there is an interesting observance of Saint George’s Day. If frost has not harmed the vines by this day then a clean, soft little towel is offered to the statue of the saint and his feet are washed in wine. There will be shouts of “Vive Monsieur Saint Georges.” If frost has harmed the vines, however, Saint George is not very popular and though his feet are still washed a rough, coarse cloth is used.
