Cooking The Christian Year

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Lucy. St. Lucy (also known as Saint Lucia) was one of the early Christian martyrs. Her feast day on December 13th falls during some of the shortest and darkest days of the year. Her feast is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can still see with eyes of faith. St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated as a festival of lights. Sweden, in particular, observes St. Lucia Day as one of their most cherished Advent celebrations. Lussekatter (St. Lucy Buns), a Swedish saffron bun, is a traditional bread used on St. Lucia’s Day and our recipe for this week. Learn more about St. Lucy and find our recipe for St. Lucy Buns at CookingtheChristianYear.com.

Today is the Feast Day of St. Andrew. St. Andrew was one Jesus’ first disciples.Tradition says that he became the first Bishop of Constantinople, making it a center of church leadership. To celebrate we are having loukoumades. Loukoumades are the Greek version of donuts, which are deep fried to a golden perfection. They are traditionally served soaked in hot honey syrup, sprinkled with cinnamon, and garnished with chopped walnuts. You can find the recipe and learn more about St. Andrew at CookingtheChristianYear.com.

Over the next few days we will celebrate two distinguished writers of the faith. Today, November 22nd, we celebrate C. S. Lewis. C.S. Lewis was a famous Anglican writer and theologian. His work Mere Christianity inspired and continues to inspire many people to come to the faith. On November 25th we celebrate Isaac Watts. Isaac Watts is called the Father of English hymnody. He is the writer of many of our favorite hymns, such as Joy to the World and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

To remember C. S. Lewis we are making a simple vanilla rice pudding. The day we remember Isaac Watts, November 25th, happens to be the day after Thanksgiving this year. For his feast day we are using our Thanksgiving leftovers to make some turkey and dumplings. Find these recipes and learn more about C. S. Lewis and Isaac Watts at CookingtheChristianYear.com.

Christ the King Sunday, or Reign of Christ Sunday, is the newest high holy day in the church. To celebrate we are making a Crown Roast of Lamb, one of the most beautiful and ornate entrees imaginable. The “crown” is formed by connecting at least two racks of lamb, end to end into a circular shape with the rib bones sticking up. Those rib bones are frenched, or cleaned, for presentation, which makes the two racks of lamb look even more like a crown. 

Find the recipe for Crown Roast of Lamb and read more about Christ the King Sunday at CookingtheChristianYear.com.

Over the next three days we will be celebrating a variety of saints including Francis Asbury, George Whitfield, St. Margaret of Scotland, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Check out CookingtheChristianYear.com to learn more about them and find out what recipes we have prepared to remember these saints!

On this day Americans focus on Veterans Day, a day to celebrate those who have served in the armed forces. However, hidden deep in the day is the Christian witness of Saint Martin of Tours. The original name for Veterans Day was Armistice Day, as it is still known in Europe today. Armistice Day marks the end of World War I. But did you know that this day was deliberately chosen because of its connection to Saint Martin?

For our Feast of St. Martin we are practicing some of our classic Thanksgiving recipes, while also incorporating some traditional European recipes associated with St. Martin. You can find the recipes and learn more about St. Martin at https://cookingthechristianyear.com/.

Today we began another cycle of Cooking Through the Christian Year with the original Halloween sweet treat, soul cakes! The common practice on All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and beginning on the evening before (Halloween) was to distribute soul cakes to those, particular children, who go “souling” door to door. Soul cakes are shortbread-like cookie cakes that are sweetened with raisins or currants and flavored with spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, or ginger. You can find a recipe for soul cakes and read more about Halloween and All Saints’ Day on https://cookingthechristianyear.com/. And look out for our next post on November 11 for the Feast of St. Martin!

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