It’s All in the Sauce

Happy Friday everyone! Are you all ready for the weekend? Would you believe this is 824 straight days of chatting with you all? So glad you’re come along.

As many of you know, ours is a Catholic household. And an old school, somewhat traditional one at that. I am veiled in Mass and we don’t eat meat on Fridays. There are so many other Catholic traditions that we should practice, but don’t. I admire those who do – and not just Catholics, but all faiths. I admire the dedication and discipline it must take to face east and pray five times a day. Just as I admire those who pray the rosary daily. I’ve tried, but eventually that fades. It’s far easier to remain disciplined during Lent, just as the Sunday Candles of Advent are never missed.

When it comes to the No Meat on Fridays thing – that’s easy. It’s not even a sacrifice, really. Did you know that once upon a time, the rule didn’t apply to all Catholics? It came out of a form of penance for those Catholics of means. Meat was once a luxury. So to give it up was a sacrifice. These days the cost of seafood is a luxury. But then again, no one said you had to eat fish – just not a steak. Many misinformed Catholics think Vatican II lifted the No Meat Friday restrictions except during Fridays of Lent. The truth is Vatican II simply made the form of penance on Fridays a personal decision rather than a universal act. In other words, Catholics are still called to penance on Fridays (think of it as little Good Fridays throughout the year). Maybe you give up coffee on Fridays or say an extra prayer. Something – any act of contrition – is acceptable. Personally, I like the No Meat rule because it unites us as one body in our faith. The church gives a whole big, wordy explanation as to the change, but what it really boils down to is a change in neighborhoods. Suburbia’s impact on the faithful. Once upon a time, neighborhoods centered around places of worship. Most people in the cities didn’t have far to go to get to church. And those same places of worship were the social structure of our lives. Pot lucks were commonplace. Then along came two things – the car and with that suburban living. Now Catholics were living next door to Protestants. While Catholics were blessing their fish sticks, they could smell those burgers from their neighbor’s yard. The next thing you knew, Catholic attendance was down, and everyone was eating whatever on a Friday night. So the American Bishops asked that the restriction be lifted, or at lease modified, and it was.

I don’t like it much when rules (with respect to faith) are changed to appease the masses. Faith isn’t suppose to be easy or convenient. This from the gal who is lucky to pray the rosary a few times each year or who remembers Novenas half-way through.

Did you know that once upon a time, Catholics had an influence on the Fast Food industry? Yep – when hamburgers were the norm, the drop in sales on Fridays was noticed. And so McDonald’s and others came up with their Fish Sandwich to sell to Catholics as an alternative to the Big Mac. Wendy’s carries their own fish sandwich, but it’s only available during Lent, when the whole of the Catholic Faithful abstain from burgers on Fridays. I’m glad McDonald’s continues to make their Filet O Fish available year round. Not that it’s an amazing fish sandwich, but on those Fridays when we are on the road or need a quick drive-through grab before heading out to do whatever, it’s nice to have that option.

One of the things I truly like about McDonald’s is their tartar sauce. This is about as close as I’ve come to their briny-dill sauce. Happy Friday!

Filet O Fish Delicious
Tartar Sauce
2 tablespoons Capers, minced
1/4 cup Dill Pickle Relish
2 teaspoons dried Minced Onions
1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Pinch Sugar
1/2 cup Mayonnaise

Rinse and drain the capers. Mince into tiny pieces and place in a small bowl. Add relish, dried onions, parsley, lemon juice, sugar and mayonnaise. Stir to blend completely. Cover at refrigerate at least an hour or longer for the flavors to fully develop.

Filet O Fish
8 Battered Fish Filet
4 Hoagie or Sausage Rolls
4 Lettuce Leaves
8 slices American Cheese, optional

Heat oven and bake filets according to package direction.

Split rolls open. Spread tartar sauce inside the rolls. Line bottom of roll with lettuce. Place one or two filets on top of the lettuce. If desired, top fish with a slice or two of cheese.

Serve and enjoy.

This is great without the bun, just serve fish alongside some fries or tater tots and tartar sauce for dipping.

---

I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall be always in my mouth.