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hsmom Forum Pro

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| Posted: July 25 2008 at 7:00pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| I made some templates for a cockle shell and the cross of St. James to use for the powdered sugar over the cake. |
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Thank you so much for the cross template. I checked the site earlier today looking for last minute ideas and this worked perfect. I didn't have the almonds to make the actual cake so I used the Vanilla Tea Cake recipe from "Tea and Cake with the Saints" and just substitued the vanilla extract for almond extract. The template worked beautifully. Blessings, Valerie
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MaryM Board Moderator


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| Posted: July 25 2008 at 8:02pm | IP Logged
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hsmom wrote:
| I didn't have the almonds to make the actual cake so I used the Vanilla Tea Cake recipe from "Tea and Cake with the Saints" and just substitued the vanilla extract for almond extract. The template worked beautifully. |
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That is the recipe my daughter used as well. It was the first time she had made it. It was really watery and took MUCH longer than the directions said to be cooked through - then the edges were pretty crispy. I'm wondering if you had any problems with yours, Valerie. I didn't warch her to make sure she did everything correclty, but she is pretty good at following recipes herself. It might have just been that we should have adjusted for altitude - that's the problem with living at a high altitude and following generic recipes.
They didn't have them I'm kicking myself for not buying them when I did see them. Figured I would be able to get them later. So we opted for plan B. I made cornbread in the shell shaped pan to go with our chili.

__________________ Mary M. in Denver
(Mom of 4, ds 24 , ds 21 , ds13 & dd 17
Our Domestic Church
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hsmom Forum Pro

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| Posted: July 26 2008 at 1:30am | IP Logged
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Mary,
I've made the cake twice and haven't had any trouble either time. I wouldn't describe the batter as watery though. I don't know about the altitude thing. I would definitely give it another try. The cake was delicious both as a vanilla cake and an almond cake. Good luck.
Valerie
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MaryM Board Moderator


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| Posted: July 26 2008 at 2:25am | IP Logged
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Thanks, Valerie. I probably shouldn't have described it as watery since I never actually saw the batter myself but when we opened the oven after the 30 minutes and it was liquidy when toothpick inserted (more than I've ever seen). We had to cook it an extra 15 minutes to get it done.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
(Mom of 4, ds 24 , ds 21 , ds13 & dd 17
Our Domestic Church
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MaryM Board Moderator


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| Posted: July 10 2012 at 1:37pm | IP Logged
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I'm looking for the reason for the symbolism of the shell with St. James. This is from an online/wiki answers. No citations to see where the info is written.
Quote:
The story of the shell has more of a religious note.
Saint James of Compostella turned from the thoughts and pleasures of this life to meditation on the sufferings, humiliation and death of Christ. He vowed that alone, barefoot, and in humility he would travel to the Holy Land and stand by the tomb of the Saviour in Palestine. The first of the palmers or pilgrims, he kept his vow. On his eastward journey he bound upon his hat a little black cockle-shell, the sign of the sea and the suggestion of water in the desert. On his return from the tomb he wore a white cockle-shell, a symbol of purification. Since that time the shell has been the pilgrim's sign, the sign of the wanderer, the traveler from the far lands, the seeker after the unknown. When a pilgrim returned from Palestine with the white shell upon his hat, kings made way, for the holy man had stood on sacred ground. So this sign too was seized upon by the builders and became a frequent form in their decoration.
Topping most of the light posts, gracing the cornices, banding the columns, and in many places interlaced with the rose about the portals at the Exposition, can be found the cockle-shell of Saint James, the other great Spanish sign. |
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| The story is told that when Saint James’ remains were taken by boat to Spain, a man was riding his horse on the beach. The horse saw the boat and plunged into the sea, with its rider, making for the boat. They sank but then rose again, covered with scallop shells. |
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Anyone have any sources or information on the reason for the symbolism. Is it just that cockle shell is symbol of pilgrims? Was that before St. James or did that come after? Pilgrimage by sea only??
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
(Mom of 4, ds 24 , ds 21 , ds13 & dd 17
Our Domestic Church
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JennGM Forum Moderator


Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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| Posted: July 24 2012 at 7:41pm | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
I'm looking for the reason for the symbolism of the shell with St. James. This is from an online/wiki answers. No citations to see where the info is written.
Quote:
The story of the shell has more of a religious note.
Saint James of Compostella turned from the thoughts and pleasures of this life to meditation on the sufferings, humiliation and death of Christ. He vowed that alone, barefoot, and in humility he would travel to the Holy Land and stand by the tomb of the Saviour in Palestine. The first of the palmers or pilgrims, he kept his vow. On his eastward journey he bound upon his hat a little black cockle-shell, the sign of the sea and the suggestion of water in the desert. On his return from the tomb he wore a white cockle-shell, a symbol of purification. Since that time the shell has been the pilgrim's sign, the sign of the wanderer, the traveler from the far lands, the seeker after the unknown. When a pilgrim returned from Palestine with the white shell upon his hat, kings made way, for the holy man had stood on sacred ground. So this sign too was seized upon by the builders and became a frequent form in their decoration.
Topping most of the light posts, gracing the cornices, banding the columns, and in many places interlaced with the rose about the portals at the Exposition, can be found the cockle-shell of Saint James, the other great Spanish sign. |
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Quote:
| The story is told that when Saint James’ remains were taken by boat to Spain, a man was riding his horse on the beach. The horse saw the boat and plunged into the sea, with its rider, making for the boat. They sank but then rose again, covered with scallop shells. |
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Anyone have any sources or information on the reason for the symbolism. Is it just that cockle shell is symbol of pilgrims? Was that before St. James or did that come after? Pilgrimage by sea only??
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It's the day before his feast, and you asked quite in advance. I have gone through all my books and have only found several answers, but not really solid.
Apparently, the Spanish legends of Santiago (St. James) run very deep. I can't read Spanish without much studying, so I can't verify completely. But your second version is the one that repeats, either with a knight or a bridegroom. When St. James came from the water, he was covered in scallops. Also, the legend of his body coming across in a stone boat, so the sea is tied in with his legend.
ETA: I did check my printed resources, also, not just online.
Some online sources: Americanpilgrims.com
NYTimes article, although some liberal insertions
Archive article on Scallop influence on English
summary of symbolism
As an aside, did you know Pope Benedict's Coat of Arms includes the scallop?
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM Forum Moderator


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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 9:17am | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
I just found this recipe for Torta de Santiago that's gluten free. I find many "dessert" recipes from the Middle Ages use almonds, such as Frangipane cream and Mostaccioli, said to be St. Francis of Assisi's last request. Anyone have an inexpensive source for almonds?
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Bumping this recipe -- how nice to have a gluten free recipe for this feast day that is actually TRADITIONAL!!!!
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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aussieannie Forum All-Star


Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 2:05pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| I find many "dessert" recipes from the Middle Ages use almonds, such as Frangipane cream and Mostaccioli, said to be St. Francis of Assisi's last request. |
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That is very interesting. Where would you find other recipes using almonds, that might have been used for feast days?
Yesterday I went to a gluten-free cafe, where the owner bakes everything herself and bought a slice of Persian Love Cake, it was also made from almond meal, it was so delicious! So I'm keen to try this recipe you've linked, I've missed this feast though (it's early of St Anne's day here in Aus) but I'll still like to make it soon and then put it on the list for next year's feast.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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JennGM Forum Moderator


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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 4:13pm | IP Logged
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aussieannie wrote:
JennGM wrote:
| I find many "dessert" recipes from the Middle Ages use almonds, such as Frangipane cream and Mostaccioli, said to be St. Francis of Assisi's last request. |
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That is very interesting. Where would you find other recipes using almonds, that might have been used for feast days?
Yesterday I went to a gluten-free cafe, where the owner bakes everything herself and bought a slice of Persian Love Cake, it was also made from almond meal, it was so delicious! So I'm keen to try this recipe you've linked, I've missed this feast though (it's early of St Anne's day here in Aus) but I'll still like to make it soon and then put it on the list for next year's feast. |
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Oh, isn't that nice, Anne!!! I'm glad you could have a treat! It's those little things.
If I remember correctly, the two recipes I list above were in A Continual Feast by Evelyn Vitz. I remember helping my brother make this project for St. Francis and my paternal grandmother was visiting and commenting on how expensive this recipe was (because of the cost of almonds).
In my Spanish cookbooks, there is mention particularly of Galicia region, but also other places in Spain that almond recipes are quite common.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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aussieannie Forum All-Star


Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 4:27pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| Oh, isn't that nice, Anne!!! I'm glad you could have a treat! It's those little things. |
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Yes, it's been quite a find, not far from home as you could travel the whole city and have trouble finding such a place and cook as this. But I want to cook like this myself..cheaper!...so it's interesting I'm reading your post today. I have that cook book so I'm going to have a look at try some recipes.
JennGM wrote:
| In my Spanish cookbooks, there is mention particularly of Galicia region, but also other places in Spain that almond recipes are quite common. |
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Ok, I'll try and google some of that, and see what I can find in the way of Spanish almond meal recipes. I like cooking and making things that are symbolic for saints days, (like the shell shaped cornbread that Mary shared, which was brilliant) but I think that if I can find a more authentic recipes to work with plus it will be better for our family health-wise, it's all good.
We are fortunate to shop at a place that offers almond meal in bulk, so cheaper than buying it in supermarkets or small health food shops in packets.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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aussieannie Forum All-Star


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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 7:15pm | IP Logged
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Just found this page that has some helpful hints on buying, cooking and storing almond meal.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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MaryM Board Moderator


Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
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| Posted: July 27 2012 at 3:21am | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
MaryM wrote:
Anyone have any sources or information on the reason for the symbolism. Is it just that cockle shell is symbol of pilgrims? Was that before St. James or did that come after? Pilgrimage by sea only??
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It's the day before his feast, and you asked quite in advance. I have gone through all my books and have only found several answers, but not really solid.
Apparently, the Spanish legends of Santiago (St. James) run very deep. I can't read Spanish without much studying, so I can't verify completely. But your second version is the one that repeats, either with a knight or a bridegroom. When St. James came from the water, he was covered in scallops. Also, the legend of his body coming across in a stone boat, so the sea is tied in with his legend. |
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Over the past two nights we watched the documentary from Ignatius Press - The Way of St. James
In that movie they say the shell became the symbol of the St. James and the Camino because of how plentiful scallop shells were in Galicia, the location of Santiago de Compostella. The shells would have been carried by pilgrams and used because they were a good size for gathering water to drink. I found some online sources that second that.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
(Mom of 4, ds 24 , ds 21 , ds13 & dd 17
Our Domestic Church
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aussieannie Forum All-Star


Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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| Posted: July 27 2012 at 3:27am | IP Logged
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Do you recommend the documentary, Mary?
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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MaryM Board Moderator


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| Posted: July 27 2012 at 3:57am | IP Logged
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aussieannie wrote:
| Do you recommend the documentary, Mary? |
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It was okay and helpful to us since we are going to Northern Spain in about a month. I was glad I watched it. It (Santiago) is one of the places we plan to visit though we won't have time to actually walk the Camino. I borrowed the dvd from my mom. I don't think I would buy it but worth watching if you can get a copy. Much was subtitled which my youngest does not like. A lot was about the experiences of the pilgrims they interviewd (none particularly religious in their reasons for doing the pilgrimage). I did enjoy the historical parts and the photography of the locations along the way ("The Way" - ).
It was a follow up for us as we watched The Way (Estevez/Sheen) last week.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
(Mom of 4, ds 24 , ds 21 , ds13 & dd 17
Our Domestic Church
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aussieannie Forum All-Star


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| Posted: July 27 2012 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
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Oh wow Mary, sounds great! Not going to see the shrine of Our Lady of the Pilar by any chance??...I don't think it's Northern Spain though.
Yes, I've seen The Way the movie, I liked the scenery in it very much.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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