Since the Throw Down win, I’ve been barraged with emails asking for the Fusion Fajita Marinade Recipe.

I’d love to give this recipe, and in time I will. But, it will have to wait until the Third Edition of the Book, “Recipes for Family Life,” which we are in discussion with Double Day Publishers in New York. Until then, can I offer you several other great recipes that you can get on line on my website? Just click on recipes and enjoy!

Although these recipes have not won any awards or “Throw Down” challenges, I can say they won over hearts and minds and have brought family and friends to celebrate God’s Blessings!

Thanks for the understanding! The Fusion Fajita Recipe is definitely on it’s way in the new book to come!

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Grace Before Meals wants to share a prayerful thought to all of those who were affected by the 9/11 attacks nine years ago today. The story and start of Grace Before Meals is somewhat connected to this tragic event. There are actually some videos of some conferences that I’ve given on the webisode page that talks about it. Today’s commemoration shows how God, through Grace, can make something good come out of something so terrible. Please know of my prayers for all of you, especially those who lost loved ones on this day, and those who continue to fight for America’s Freedom and remain in harm’s way. I pray that one day, we those who follow the God who loves and lets lives, rather than those who choose to listen to the forces that seek revenge and destroys, can all come together at the Eternal Banquet in Heaven. Today is a tough day for many. With Grace, we can make it a “Holy Day” and celebrate as a family, encouraged with comfort food for Body, Mind and Soul.

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As you already know. I WON! or Rather, Team GBM Won. Special thanks to all who helped make a wonderful event into a spiritually uplifting event! Thanks to Mom, Dad, Brother, Sisters, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins and all other Filipino people who are somehow related to me! Thanks to Tim Watkins, his wonderful family, and the Renegade Productions Company; Maroon PR; Mount St. Mary’s Seminary; the Archdiocese of Baltimore; Comcast; The Little Italy Restaurant Association, and especially Da Mimmo’s Restaurant, Vacarro’s, Cesar’s Den, Chiparreli’s, Aldo’s and La Tavola – to name a few! To the supportive friends who came out and braved the drizzle. By the way, anyone notice how the rain stopped during the show? God is good! And, Mr. John, the 99 year old man who allowed Comcast to do the live feed from the Food Network to air on the big screen. 09.09.09 @ 9:00pm was a night to remember, especially in prayer. And, during prayer, God reminded me of the humility of this mission: to feed people body, mind and soul doesn’t take a celebrity, but someone willing to “celebrate” the blessings on the table and around the table. REMEMBER – please send the Food Newtork a little note just to tell them what you thought of the show. Peace! Fr. Leo

FYI: More pics and stories to come. But for now, I’m off to Fresno, CA and Iowa for conference – all in one weekend!

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There are some dates that stick out in my mind. December 25th, my Birthday, Social Security Number, and even unfortunately sad (but hopeful) dates like 9.11. Dates like this help remind me to pray. Today, 09.09.09@9:00pm is another one of those dates that remind me pray and celebrate with you – family and friends! It’s the date and time of our big Throw Down Party in Little Italy. Tonight, we’ll show the pre-taped episode where Bobby Flay surprised me to a Steak Fajita Throw Down. Tonight, we’ll see who wins? And no matter who wins, we’ll still celebrate food, faith, and families!

I’ll be with the Legatus Group at Aldo’s Restaurant giving a cooking presentation and speaking about food, faith and families and even filming more webshows for all of you. What a wonderful group of Catholics Legatus members are for our Church. And, what a wonderful restaurant Aldo’s is. One of my favorites!

(Chef Aldo and his wife Regina: Very food, faith, and family friendly)

After that I’ll go to another one of my favorite restaurants, Da Mimmo’s, with Mary Ann and her son Mimmo. They have been so hospitable and gracious in hosting the Throw Down Party on their “Big Screen.” I also had dinner with them last night. DEEEEELICIOUS!

(Another one of the faith, food and family supporters – eating dinner every night, especially after her husband, Mimmo passed away when Mimmo Jr. was only 12 years old. He even served the funeral mass for his dad! They are great people!)

Comcast will bring in a live feed from the Food Network so that the entire “block party” can view the show at the same time. We may even try to get a “Ustream feed” so you can share in our party via the web. But, we’ll let you know about that later.

Now, a clarification: lot’s of people are “thinking” (or perhaps even spreading the idea) that Bobby Flay will be at Little Italy tonight. I wish! Instead, we will air the premier of the pre-taped Show from last June. It’ll be the first time anyone sees the show. I’m sure Bobby is a bit too busy to spend more time with lil’ ole’ me.

(Me, getting hot under the collar, when Bobby surprised me. I’m standing next to good friend and great griller, Msgr. Nalty of the Archdiocese of New Orleans)

So, no celebrities tonight. Sorry if you managed to get that impression or if you were simply wishfully thinking. The only stars out tonight in Little Italy will be the ones that God made for the dark skies to light our way! And the only celebrities tonight will be those who want to CELEBRATE Food, Faith, Family and Fun! That means – all of you!

(Judgement – right before the verdict. Watch to see if they air me pulling out my rosary for some divine assistance!)

So come out and join us for the airing of the Fusion Fajita face off on Food Network at 9:00pm. And remember, keep us and our movement in your prayers, as I pray for you and your families. And, please let Food Network know what you thought of the show. It helps our Grace Before Meals family to spread the message! Food Network was so gracious in allowing us to share our message with them, let’s share our prayerful thanks to them.

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I received a few emails from subscribers concerning a link that I included in last week’s message regarding Novenas. There was a link that connected to other websites promoting movements such as Feng Shui, reiki, and other new age forms of healing. I want to apologize that I did not check all of the other links on this particular website. It was not my intent to give the impression that I was promoting these alternative spiritual practices. When I searched for “non-Catholic” use of Novenas, this website seemed rather promising because it showed that Novena’s (i.e., continual and devotional prayers and saintly intercessions) was not just for a particular religion (i.e., Catholics), but for others to appreciate and practice as well. Since I didn’t check all of this website’s links (simply because I just didn’t have time), I didn’t realize and anticipate how some of those other links would lead to confusion regarding the Catholic Church’s caution about “spiritual new age movements.” As a Roman Catholic Priest, faithful to the magisterium, I want to highlight the novena prayer, while not suggesting, insuating, or supporting the use of other new age movements, which can lead to a confused notion of spirituality and a disregard for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. I just didn’t realize where the other links of this website would take a reader. My apologies to all of you. Thanks for the understanding.

Having said all that, I sure hope you can all come to the Throw Down Party on 9.9.09 @9:00pm in Baltimore’s Little Italy, accross from Da Mimmo’s Restaurant. Details, including how to get 10% off your meal in one of the Little Italy Restaurants can be found on the home page. See you then!

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Grilled Zucchini:

2 medium-sized zucchinis
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt and pepper
1 teaspoon white vinegar
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Heat grill on medium high heat.  Wash and cut zucchini into 1/8-inch fillets.  Combine the oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, vinegar and pepper flakes and whisk to combine.  Brush both sides of the zucchini with the flavored oil and place on hot grill for about 2 minutes on each side.

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