Ember Days and Comfort Foods

Today is the second Ember Days of Advent. Once upon a time, Ember Days were days of fasting and penance. Today they are not. Why? Because the Church has reconsidered certain obligations imposed upon the faithful that might be too much, too ridged, too demanding.

Okay, that might be my option. Vatican II changed much of what I knew growing up as a Catholic. There are those who say once neighborhoods became diverse, Catholics discovered that there were Christians in this world cooking up a steak on a Friday Night. Or those who weren’t fasting. Women who walked into church with the tops of their heads exposed. All sorts of “liberties”. And the American Conference of Bishops, during the Vatican II reform, pleaded with the Pope to relax certain outward expressions of faith. Parish membership was falling as Catholics joined other churches. Sadly enough, membership is important. Without members, the collection plates aren’t nearly as full. All churches depend upon donations to survive. That is as it should be. Even Jesus depended upon His followers for food and shelter during His earthy ministry. While we might point to money and say it is the root of all evil, money is necessary. So money itself is not evil – greed is.

It’s interesting to note that all these years later, the part of the church that is now seeing the largest growth is within the Traditional, Latin Rites. I have my own theory about that. We are, in many ways, children. Children thrive on structure, on discipline, and boundaries. We also like to test those same boundaries. It’s human nature.

Personally, I like the way the Church was before – more strict, and less inclusive. But that’s just me. Since Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for me, I don’t think it’s wrong of Him to expect something in return. And that something is to surrender to His will. When I say less inclusive, I don’t mean based on economic status, race or any of that. I just don’t think you can be a member in good standing and the host of an orgy. Silly, I know.

Anyway, that’s my lecture for today. Take from it what you will.

The point of Ember Days is to give thanks to God. Today is a Friday. And this old school Catholic forgoes the steak supper on a Friday night. Since today is, but customs of old, a day of fasting, by today’s definition, the total foods consumed in a single day should be less than a full meal on other days. So small portions, and no in-between shacks. Typically a Fasting Friday could be a cup of tea and toast in the morning, a small salad mid-day and a bowl of soup after sundown. This soup is perfect – filling, with hits of summer found in the sweetness of the corn. Enjoy!

Shrimp and Corn Chowder
3 ribs Celery
2 bunches Scallions (Green Onions)
1 lb medium Shrimp
3 sprigs Thyme
2 fresh Bay Leaves
2 teaspoons unsalted Butter
3 cups frozen Diced Potatoes
3 cups frozen Corn
Kosher Salt
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Flour
4 cups (1 quart) Whole Milk
Smoked Paprika for finish

Thinly slice celery ribs. Set aside. Trim scallions, slice and set aside. Peel, devein and remove tails from shrimp. Keep shrimp chilled until ready to cook. With kitchen twine, bundle thyme sprigs and bay leaves together. Tie with a string that is long enough to drape over the side of the pot when ready to remove bundle.

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the celery, scallions, potatoes and corn. Add the thyme, bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, 3 minutes.

Stir in the flour until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in the milk, then cover and bring to a boil.

Uncover, reduce the heat to medium low and gently simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leave bundle.

Transfer one-third of the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth, then return to the pot. Over medium-high heat, return chowder to a simmer. Stir in the shrimp and cook until opaque, about 4 minutes.

Season with salt. If the soup is too thick, stir in up to 1 cup water or seafood stock to thin. Divide among bowls and sprinkle with paprika just before serving.

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My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.