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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 08 2005 at 1:56pm | IP Logged
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I was doing a search for the feast of the Assumption and came across this recipe for a feast that falls before the Assumption.
St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, August 10. He is a patron of cooks.
Here's some further information on St. Lawrence.
His feast ties in with the Perseids...usually they are present on his feast day, so in Italy they are sometimes called "Tears of St. Lawrence."
His patronage is huge, but he seems like the perfect saint for homeschoolers, as he is the patron of confectioners; cooks; laundry workers; librarians; and students. Covers quite a few of the hats a mother wears.
Because he died on a gridiron, many countries have cold meals for his feast -- in other words, Cold Cuts for dinner is celebratory!!!
He is also the patron of brewers and vintners, so a cold beer or nice glass of wine, toasted to St. Lawrence would very fitting today.
I had to share the following recipe because it's wheat and gluten free -- something wonderful and traditional to make for a feast day!!!
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From A Continual Feast:
According to legend he was put to death by being roasted on a grill, or gridiron. In one of those marvelous quips attributed to the saints, he is said to have remarked to his torturers: "One side is done now; you can turn me over."
Which brings us to the foods traditionally eaten on St. Laurence's Day. In some places, nothing hot is served at all, in compassion for his martyrdom; it is a day for cold soups and salads. But in Spain they make in his honor a chestnut-flavored Bizcocho de San Lorenzo. Now the word bizcocho, like our word biscuit, really means "twice-cooked"! Is the pun intended? In any case, you can either serve cold dishes, to help cool off St. Laurence; or you can serve twice-cooked or barbecued dishes, to signify his triumph over the fire. After all, St. Laurence is one of the patron saints of cooks!
St. Laurence sweets
(BIZCOCHO DE SAN LORENZO)
This unusual and delicious recipe is adapted from the Spanish classic Manuel de Cocina, Recetario.
1/2 pound chestnuts (or 1 six-ounce can pureed chestnuts)
Milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon orange-flower water, or 1 teaspoon orange extract and grated rind of 1/2 orange
6 eggs
1 cup cornstarch (see Note)
Orange marmalade (optional)
Confectioners' sugar
If you are using fresh chestnuts (which may be hard to get at this time of year), proceed as follows: cut an X into the surface of each chestnut. Cover the chestnuts with cold water in a saucepan. Bring them to a boil and boil for 1 or 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Take out the chestnuts one at a time and remove the shell and the skin.
Return the peeled chestnuts to a saucepan. Cover them with milk, and cook gently until they are just soft enough to be put through a sieve or pureed in a food mill. Puree, and reserve.
Combine the sugar, orange-flower water, and eggs in a large saucepan. Beat vigorously with a whisk over low heat until the mixture is light and spongy. Add the chestnut puree, and then the cornstarch, a little at a time. Blend thoroughly, and pour the mixture into a generously buttered ring mold.
Place the mold in a pan of hot water in the oven, and bake at 350° F. until the chestnut mixture is set, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool.
When the Bizcocho has cooled, turn it out of the mold, and cut it into slices about 3/4 inch thick. If you like spread the slices with marmalade. Sprinkle them with confectioners' sugar.
Yield: about 20 slices
Note: This seems like an astonishing amount of cornstarch to the American cook, but the cornstarch takes the place of flour, and makes a delicate, fine-textured cake.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Kelly Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 08 2005 at 8:49pm | IP Logged
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An easy way to celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence is to have WAFFLES.
In Spain, the design of the Escorial, their "Buckingham Palace" after a fashion, is shaped like a gridiron/waffle iron, to honor its patron saint, San Lorenzo, who was purportedly martyred on a gridiron. They say that as he was grilled, he jokingly told them to flip him over to get the other side evenly cooked. Grim humor, but the Spaniards do love their San Lorenzo!
Kelly in FL
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 09 2005 at 8:49am | IP Logged
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Waffles! Great idea! Gridiron marks left on the food!
Pizelles would also have a same effect.
The Italians love St. Laurence, also. In Rome, the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura)built over where he died (on the gridiron) is one of the 7 great basilicas.
And in Rome alone there are Nine churches alone named after this deacon!
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Anne Marie M Forum Pro
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Posted: Aug 15 2005 at 7:46pm | IP Logged
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Okay, this is a bit late. . . but our priest told us that when St. Lawrence got to Heaven, God said to him,
"Well done, my good and faithful servant."
The altar boys (most of them my kids) couldn't keep a straight face, and neither could the congregation!
Anne Marie
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momwise Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 15 2005 at 9:40pm | IP Logged
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Anne Marie M wrote:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant."
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Oh boy.......I'm surprised I haven't heard that one yet! I'll have to remember it. It was so funny when on St. Lawrence's feast late in the morning I remembered we were grilling hamburgers that night. I had told the kids about the traditional cold dinner but they thought the grilling was much more appropriate
__________________ Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 16 2005 at 2:24pm | IP Logged
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Anne Marie M wrote:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant."
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I just must have been brain dead when I read this (blame it on moving). I kept going over and over trying to figure out the humor in this. Then last night I suddenly "Got it." What a great little piece of humor...even though I was slow to get this one.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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MaryM Board Moderator
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 6:03pm | IP Logged
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There is this cute idea of cupcakes for St. Lawrence's feast day from Catholic Cuisine:
We haven't added to ideas in this thread for a LONG time. What are you doing? Anything new to add? With its annual association with the Perseid Meteor Showers it's always a favorite time of celebration and remembrance for us.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 6:52pm | IP Logged
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Oh those cupcakes are just too cute for words!!
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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