Christmas

On the menu today... a mega seafood blowout with Big D, a long-overdue date night with my honey, our Lebanese New Year's celebration (complete with grape leaves and hummus!), and the Epiphany (with a heads-up towards Mardi Gras!). We also have our first "Weekly Blog Post Recap," and we announce the winner of our contest for the book set of Time Management: A Catholic Approach.

Oh, and did I mention that Char co-hosts this show with me?

Join us here at the Catholic Foodie, where food meets faith!

In this episode we mention the following blog posts:

So... the party after the baptism had a Lebanese motif. The Christmas celebration with Char's family was Italian-themed. And Christmas eve with my parents was down-home New Orleans.

In lieu of the work-intensive and elaborate cooking that I usually enjoy, Char and I decided on something simple, yet delicious. Muffulettas.

So, what is a muffuletta?

It's an Italian sandwich first created in the deli at Central Grocery on Decatur Street.

It's unusual for us, but this year we had three Christmases... at least we celebrated Christmas three times with family. Sort of.

Actually, the first Christmas celebration was a baptism. My brother-in-law (Norman) and his wife (Elizabeth) had their fourth child baptized the Sunday before Christmas. So, Char and I packed up the van, loaded the kids in, and drove to Baton Rouge for the Mass and reception.

On today's show... Char and I discuss the past week and all the wonderful meals that we have had. We also talk about an excellent movie that we watched last night: Julie & Julia.

Join us for food, fun, and family here at the Catholic Foodie, where food meets faith!

On the menu today: a special Catholic Roundup Advent Calendar episode.

Want a great brunch idea? Grillades and grits are perfect for Christmas or New Year's Day.

There's nothing like a good gumbo here in Louisiana, especially during the blistery cold winters we have.

OK. I'm kidding about the blistery cold winters (even though it did snow last year!). But I am serious about the gumbo.

A few years ago I came across a recipe by Emeril Lagasse for a turkey-bone gumbo. I made it once and we fell in love with it. It is now a staple dish in our family, especially during the holiday season. Over the last few years, I have made a number of adjustment to his recipe. I would like to share my version with you.

INGREDIENTS

There's nothing like a good stock to add zap and zing to your soups and gumbos. And stocks are so easy to make!

Since this is Thanksgiving time, I have a special turkey stock that I want to share with you. I make this stock right after every Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I use it in my famous Turkey & Andouille Gumbo.

Here's how I do it:

INGREDIENTS

What has been the holiest meal you have ever shared? Outside the Mass, that is.

I asked this question the other day on Plurk & Twitter & Facebook, and I received a number of replies. I share some of those with you on episode 42 of the Catholic Foodie.

I also share an amazing story about a dinner party that an old friend of mine hosted. And, somehow, I end up talking about how Char and I met and how - a number of years later - we become united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Now, how did I get on to those topics?

In this special episode, recorded for the Advent/Christmas calendar at CatholicRoundup.com, we will briefly meditate on the Epiphany: Psalm 72 & a reflection by Pope Saint Leo the Great. I also share a bit of South Louisiana tradition surrounding the Twelfth Night of Christmas. Leave voice feedback at 985-635-4974 or email me at catholicfoodie@gmail.com. Photo from Lawrence OP on Flickr.

Gracebeforemeals.com, Christmas menus & recipes, feedback & more recipes, beer tasting and the O Antiphon of the day.

Join us for episode 4 of The Catholic Foodie!

Leave voice feedback: 985-635-4974.

Here are some of the links I mentioned in this episode:

Grace Before Meals

Inge's kale-hash recipe