Catholic Culinary Confession:   One World Cafe

As we continue our journey in the Lenten Season, I know that we make a big fuss about “fasting” on Fridays before the Easter Celebration.  To help us with eating meatless meals, I offer you a unique faithful foodie adventure about One World Café in Baltimore that I wrote in collaboration with the Catholic Review Newspaper’s Culinary Confession. If you bring a copy of the article with you, this vegetarian restaurant will even give you a discount on your final bill!  So go support this deliciously healthy and Lenten-friendly restaurant, owned and operated by two sisters, and a local parishioner! The sisters who own and operate One World Café. Executive Chef Susan Novak is a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas in Hampden.   In the Book of Daniel, because they didn’t want to break their Jewish dietary restrictions, the prophet Daniel asked the prison guards to give the Jewish servants only vegetables instead of the food from the king’s table. This allowed them to keep within Jewish tradition, but I think they must have also known something parents have always encouraged: eating vegetables is good for you! And sure enough, at the end of their trial period, these “faithful foodies” were much healthier – truly a sign of Godly living. Now I know that when it comes to going to a vegetarian or vegan restaurant, it can worry some meat lovers. Will I be satisfied? Do they just serve salads and veggies? Admittedly, I also find it difficult to enjoy a “forced upon” diet, especially if it comes with a moralizing, or what some might call “tree-hugging” or “animal-protecting” attitude. I don’t need to feel guilty just because I like steak.   But rest assured, while One World Café certainly caters to veggie lovers, I was very satisfied by the food and comfortable with the casual and friendly service. I was also edified to hear the sisters who own One World were subscribers to the Catholic Review. The One World atmosphere is eclectic. The front room is a true college-hipster hangout. Bright painted walls give a modern vibe for an area that serves as a bar for alcoholic beverages, coffee, and pastries. Wi-Fi invites the earphone-wearing laptop crowd for homework or hanging out. The main dining room, by contrast, is a bit bare, but clean. Diners were equally eclectic, encompassing seniors, college students, and families with young children. However, street parking and stairs down to the dining room may be inconvenient for some patrons. The staff was primarily young and bohemian-fashioned with tattoos and piercings, especially the, I have to admit, ominous-looking bartender, who turned out to be very kind and well-mannered. Our waitress was informative and patient with my many food preparation questions.  I sensed no meat-lovers guilt trip. The staff seemed content simply to serve good-tasting food. And, to their credit, the food was quite good. With a combination of vegetarian and vegan foods (no animal products or dairy), I sampled familiar flavors, including a Philly cheese steak (less), packed with caramelized vegetables and a well-marinated seitan (“wheat meat”) that produced the texture of tender beef. The baked non-chicken parmesan used densely breaded tofu that looked and tasted like layered lasagna, served with a tasty but, in my opinion, unnecessary side of linguine marinara. A Greek-inspired veggie gyro, a tasty variety of vegetables wrapped in pita, was served with a traditional tzatziki sauce. The creamy mushroom soup was hearty and comforting. They even offered vegan desserts that still felt rich and decadent. The food portions were generous, especially considering the moderate pricing. These dishes, personally created by chef-owner Novak, left me feeling satisfied.  For me, the most creative dish was the Maryland-inspired crab-less cake, made with shredded zucchini. Combining it with traditional binders gave the cake the texture of back fin crabmeat. My experience of One World Café gave me a new perspective and respect for plant-based menus. Hunger satisfaction and a non-preachy approach to healthy eating makes One World Café a great restaurant for more than vegetarians and Friday meals during Lent. Culinary Confessions – One World Cafe

Do you have a favorite meatless recipe? How is your Lenten Practice going? Your comments help encourage us and our movement. Please post your comments here!

Let us pray:       Father as we continue this Lenten tradition of abstaining from meat on Friday, help us to hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ.  May this discipline remind us of what we can do without, and how we cannot do without You.  Sustain our Lenten observance and help us to become more the people You want us to be.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

MARCH 1-5 ST. TIMOTHY’S: WOMEN OF HOPE RETREAT & PARISH MISSION MESA, AZ CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.   MARCH 6 ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL & THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO, CA CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. MARCH 9 HOLY TRINITY APOSTOLATE SYMPOSIUM STERLING HEIGHTS, MI CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. MARCH 10-12 OUR LADY OF LOURDES: PARISH MISSION RALEIGH, NC CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.

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Posted in Culinary Confessions, Events, Faithful Foodie, Restauraunt Reviews | 4 Comments »

 

 Crabby Cakes for Crabby People

(Click to watch my latest Culinary Confession as I seek the best crab cake in Baltimore.)

This week, I want to share an article I wrote for the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Paper, The Catholic Review, with our Grace Before Meals “fam.” As you know, the Maryland scene is quite proud of its seafood specialties but, in particular, the Maryland Blue Crab.  This mean-looking crustacean packs a sweet flavor when boiled or steamed and, of course, seasoned with a Chesapeake Bay favorite – Old Bay.

(Steak and cakes – the best of both worlds.)

In this Culinary Confession, I sample some of Maryland’s best crab cakes.  You can try to determine which is the best for your taste buds.  I would think determining the best would be an impossible task, which is why I picked places that are close to locations where people can pray for divine inspiration.

(My jalapeno-wrapped crab cake, baked in a cupcake pan to keep the form.)

During the months of July and August, our team will offer our members a walk down memory lane with some of our previously published blasts.  This will give our team a chance to prepare for the launch of our new website and the highly anticipated book, Spicing Up Married Life.

(One of the featured recipes in the new book – complete with color photos of each dish.)

We will definitely offer some updated news, tips, and recipes with these Blasts from the Past, but we also want to make sure the fun stories, prayers, and recipe exchanges are not forgotten.

In the meantime, I pray that you and your family have a blessed summer, safe travels, and many opportunities to celebrate the greatest gifts of life – the food on the table and the blessed lives of the people around it!

(My entire family on a Philippine Island vacation 2011-2012.)

Let us pray: Lord, we pray that this time of vacation for family and friends will be a time of recreation – to be recreated and renewed.  Keep all travelers safe and focused on their ultimate destination in Heaven.  With the prayers of the angels and saints, we ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(Guardian Angel pointing to the Way of the Cross of Christ, Lourdes, France.)

Click here for the crab cake Culinary Confession for the Catholic Review.

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Happy Eat-ster!

 

Easter Sunday has given you permission to indulge (not over-indulge) in those delicacies that you gave up for Lent. It’s interesting that a Happy Easter has become somewhat synonymous with being a happy eater!

(As usual, I gave up chocolate for Lent.)

Here’s a link for one of the simplest chocolate mousse recipes ever!

I firmly believe that food and faith go hand-in-hand! And those who eat well can also celebrate Easter well. In fact, the Scriptures confirm this relationship between a happy Easter and a happy eater!

(A Candy Bar “at Gertrude’s Restaurant in Baltimore. Here’s a link for the Culinary Confession that I wrote for Gertrude’s.)

After the Resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to His apostles around a meal. Consider the upper room, when Jesus walked through the locked doors, greeted His fearful disciples with the word, “Peace,” and then made the request, “Do you have anything to eat?” (John 20:19). Again, at the road to Emmaus, two friends experienced a supernatural revelation of Christ through the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:13). Finally, we see Jesus at the shore preparing breakfast for the disciples who were up all night trying to catch fish, as a reminder that Jesus wants them to be fishers of men (John 21).

( Me with some seminarians at the Archdiocese of Cleveland and the crazy/fun youth minister at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson, Ohio. This one parish has about 7-8 young men studying for the priesthood – from ONE parish!)

Yes, Christ is very concerned with food for our faith. That is why He gives us food for everlasting Life!

(The back view of the Main Altar of St. Patrick’s Church in NYC, on Palm Sunday 2012.)

In this Easter Season, continue the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection around the table of the Lord, and extend that blessing around your family’s table. Click here for some delicious Easter Celebration Meals.

(My little cousin in search of more Easter Eggs!)

Let Us Pray: Father in Heaven, we thank You for the glorious Resurrection of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. May His rising from the dead give us the Grace to rise above our pettiness, sins, and lack of faith. Teach us what it means to live a new life in Christ, as we sing and rejoice in the victory of the Lamb. Amen! Alleluia!

(The Missionaries of Charity at their Easter celebration 2011.)

How did you celebrate Easter with your family? Do you have a special tradition that you’d like to share? What is your favorite Easter menu? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns that will help us do a better job in serving you? Your responses and posts are very important to us, so please post your comments below.

(Signs of New Life!)

(Listen to my Easter Meditation Homily on Youtube)

Click the picture to listen to my Easter Meditation homily I gave this Easter. I address the power of New Life when people seek out and meet Jesus Christ, and reveal why I’m going Easter egg hunting….but seriously, it is very much worth a listen. Leave a comment beneath the video.

Be sure to watch this week’s episode of “Savoring the Faith” on EWTN this Sunday at 8:30pm EST.

Friday, April 13

Respect Life Benefit Dinner @Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford IL

Contact: Laura Christianson (815) 399-4300 x 381

Saturday, April 14

Respect Life Benefit Dinner @ Elgin Community College University and Business Center Elgin, IL

Contact: Laura Christianson (815) 399-4300 x 381

Sunday, April 15

Fr. Leo’s Grace Before Meals presentation and Mass @ The Spiritual Center of Maria Stein 2356 St. Johns Rd. Maria Stein, OH 45860

Contact : Robin Goettemoeller (419) 925-7625

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Posted in Audio, Culinary Confessions, Easter, Events, Grace Before Meals, Holiday, Menu Inspiration, Prayers, Recipes, Savoring Our Faith, Video | No Comments »

As you may know, I’ve been doing a monthly column for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic Newspaper, called “Culinary Confessions.”  You may remember some of these posting exclusively for Grace Before Meals subscribers.  This has been an exciting opportunity to share  food and faith correlations from my own Archdiocese with all of you.

(The Basilica Shrine of Baltimore: last year’s Easter decorations.)

At the end of this blast, you can read about my experience critiquing a hospital cafeteria.  You’ll find out why I would even choose to eat there in the first place!  You’ll also read about the spiritual lessons God provided for me after that experience.

(Mercy Hospital’s Cafe: Chicken Marsala with potatoes and beans – all for about $6.00!)

These Culinary Confessions give our movement the chance to make faith connections to culture, which show the world the relevancy of faith.  Faith, if practiced only in the confines of a church, synagogue, or mosque, demonstrates weakness, fear, or a lack of conviction.  As such, it renders faith mediocre and lukewarm.

In our modern world where people of faith are constantly being challenged to keep their mouths shut or their opinions to themselves, we need to realize that could weaken our convictions and beliefs.  Screaming, arguing, and proselytizing are not the answer, especially about controversial and challenging topics, but it is certainly important to make sure both sides are heard in a civil way.

(March for Life: Speaking Up for the Unborn Children.)

Perhaps this week’s E-mail Blast will give everyone a gentle reminder to make sure each person at the table has a chance to speak up and share what they think honestly and respectfully.

(Students at the Bishop Verot High School after a School Assembly. I also spoke at Cardinal Moody HS.  Both are GREAT places of learning and faith!)

That’s what I hope people get out of these culinary confessions.  My objective is not to complain, which is destructive, but to critique in a constructive manner and share experiences from which we can draw possible lessons to the practice of our own faith.

Life certainly gives opportunities to make our faith real.  We need to talk about it without fear.  We need to be able to use our faith to help us make decisions and judgments in our lives.  This week, make your faith real!

(After a faithful and successful parish mission at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal, Illinois, with great people who are making their faith real!)

Let us pray: Help us Lord never to be afraid to speak out against injustice, while speaking words of compassion to those who need it.  Help us to practice our faith in such a joyful and sincere way that others will be drawn to follow our example.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

Is there a restaurant review you’d like to share?  Let us know, and we’ll post it on our site!  Is there a topic you’d like to discuss for future E-Mail Blasts or for possible webisodes on YouTube?  Please post your comments, questions, and concerns.  We need to hear from you to keep our movement strong!

Click here for the Culinary Confessions for Mercy Medical Center’s Eatery.

A few other reminders:

Watch our show each week on EWTN’s Savoring our Faith.  It airs every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Also, spaces are limited for the upcoming Virtuous Vacation and Culinary Retreat to Napa Valley.  Be sure to call and reserve your space today!

This week, I am at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheuim CA Thursday and Friday, speaking on how “Food Is Love” for teens and families. Afterwards, I have a Lenten parish mission at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson, OH until next Tuesday. For more information, go to our Events page on the website. Please pray for me and all attending that our hearts, minds and sould are open to all of God’s Graces, especially in this season of sacrifice.

(Join us at the table for one of the sumptuous wine-pairing experiences!)

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Posted in Culinary Confessions, Grace Before Meals, Prayers, Restaurants, Restauraunt Reviews, Reviews, Savoring Our Faith | 2 Comments »