food Archives - Not Strictly Spiritual

May 8

“Recipe for Joy” will leave you satisfied and smiling

I really didn’t think I’d be able to read all the way through Recipe for Joy: A Stepmom’s Story of Finding Faith, Following Love, and Feeding a Family by Robin Davis (Loyola Press) in time for today’s blog tour. I figured, at best, I’d sit down with the prologue, peruse a few pages, and make a stab at saying something. But this book pulled me in from the very first paragraph and kept me reading long past the time I had allotted myself. In fact, I’m still reading, slowly, happily, hungrily. I’m about three-quarters of the way through, but I don’t want to rush it because there is so much to savor — beautiful writing, a surprising and heartfelt and faith-filled story, recipes, humor, family, motherhood. Everything you could ask for, really. Read more

Apr 5

Foodie Friday: Last Chance Vegetable Soup

It’s been pretty chilly around here these days, and so I hunkered down and made what I hope is the last big batch of wintry veggie soup before we set our sights on grilling and other spring and summer fare. This is sort of a kitchen-sink soup. Use what you’ve got. It will be slightly different every time, but that’s what keeps this soup interesting. Read more

Mar 22

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Foodie Friday: Sweet potato and black bean chili

A perfect easy meal for a cold Friday night in Lent. This is not only vegetarian but vegan.

Ingredients Read more

Mar 16

Irene’s Irish Soda Bread

Every year I run this post because so many people want my mother’s Irish Soda Bread recipe. Here it is again, in time for tomorrow’s breakfast in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. (Sorry if you celebrated it today, according to the Church feast this year. Make it for dessert.)

Keep in mind that this bread must be slathered in butter. Not butter substitute, but real, artery-clogging butter. Enjoy! Read more

Mar 11

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Finding joy in an unexpected gift of pastry

Have you ever felt the urge to do something totally spontaneous and generous for someone but then pulled back at the last minute for any number of “logical” reasons — too expensive, too complicated, too time-consuming, too something. I know I’ve been there. So many times I’ve had a great idea but never followed through, usually because I let the responsibilities of life overwhelm me and become my excuse. Read more

Mar 8

Foodie Friday: Mary’s quick and easy lentil soup

Looking for a meatless meal for tonight’s Lenten supper? Tired of pizza and fish fry? Here’s a hearty and satisfying lentil soup recipe that’a a favorite at our house, especially on a snowy winter day like today. Read more

Feb 23

The Bridgemaker explores Cravings

Here’s what Alex Blackwell of The BridgeMaker had to say about Cravings:

“In revealing this personal journey, Mary creates a safe space where readers can begin to reflect on their own relationships with food, and with themselves. Read more

Feb 15

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Foodie Friday: Five meatless recipes for Lent

It’s the first Friday of Lent and right about now you might be thinking, “What’s on the Friday menu besides pizza and fish fry?” I’ve got a combination of vegetarian and vegan recipes to see you through. I’ll start with a few today and add more in the coming weeks. Read more

Feb 8

Foodie Friday: A Lenten primer on fasting

Lent is just around the corner. That means our Friday meal posts will go from vegetarian to vegan. (Since I already don’t eat meat, I need to find a different way to up the ante on Fridays of Lent.) But, as we head into this beautiful season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, I thought I’d kick us off not with a recipe but with a post on fasting. Read more