Dinner’s All in the Skillet

On March 25, we talked about the Feast of the Annunciation, which naturally takes place nine months before Christmas and the birth of Jesus. You would think that every year the Solemnity of the Annunciation would remain fixed on March 25. Turns out, that assumption on my part was wrong.

While looking up the Responsorial Response to share at the end of this post, I learned that April 8 of this year was not only a part of the second week of the Easter Season, it is also the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. What? That can’t be right! So I went in search of the reason behind this huge change. Here’s what I learned.

Easter is a moveable feast, and this year it was celebrated on March 31. March 24, 2024 was Palm Sunday, and the start of Holy Week. Therefore, March 25 was Holy Monday, a part of Holy Week leading up to the Resurrection. This meant the Feast of the Annunciation, while technically still the 25th of March, would not be observed by the Church during Holy Week. So why not the Monday after Easter? Or the Tuesday? Why eight days after Easter? While the Easter Season does not conclude until Pentecost Sunday, a full 50 days after Easter Sunday, the Octavia of Easter is 8 days, including Easter Sunday. Nothing outside Easter is observed during that time. The Octavia of Easter is a celebration. Even forgoing meat on the Friday following Easter Sunday is lifted. So while the Annunciation took place on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation could not be celebrated until today. We now know why my assumption was so very wrong.

It’s not easy being Catholic. But it is rewarding. Praise be. Now I just which Catholic Hymns were as joyful and uplifting as Christian Music. Right now I’m listening to Michael W. Smith, one of my favorite Christian entertainers. He sings the joy my heart contains.

Enough Praise and Worship – its time to get busy in the kitchen. I don’t know about you, but I am always thankful for a delicious supper that is contained within a single pot or skillet. Toss a salad, warm some bread and sit down together as a family. Meal time is that time when we can shut out the rest of the world, and take stock of all that truly matters. Nothing is more precious to me, outside my faith, than the people God has placed in my life for however long. Top on the list are Hubby and Kiddo. They drive me crazy sometimes, but the love I feel for them is never ending. And that’s part of why I love puttering in the kitchen – it’s an expression of my love. Enjoy!

Tuscan Skillet Tortellini
1 Orange Bell Pepper
1/2 White Onion
5 Garlic Cloves
2 cups Spinach Leaves
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 lb Mild Italian Sausage
1 (25 oz) jar Tomato Pasta Sauce
1 (14 oz) can Italian Diced Tomatoes
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
1/2 cup Half and Half
2 (9 oz) containers Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese for garnish

Core, seed and dice bell pepper. Cut onion in half from root to tip; reserve half for another purpose. Peel and dice remaining half. Peel and mince garlic. Sort through spinach, picking the most tender leaves. Tear into bite-size pieces. Set all the vegetables aside.

In a 12-inch high sided skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic. Stir constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Push the mixture to one side of the pan, giving as much room as possible for the sausage meat. Crumble sausage into the pan. Cook; breaking up the meat as it browns. Once the sausage is almost cooked through, incorporate with vegetables and continue to cook. Drain any excess oils.

Add pasta sauce, tomatoes with juices, chicken stock and half and half. Bring to a gently bubbling simmer. Stir in tortellini, submerging pasta as much as possible in the sauce. Cover; let simmer over medium heat until pasta is tender; about 8 minutes. Lower heat, uncover and let the sauce thicken, about another 2 minutes.

Remove skillet from heat. Add spinach and stir just until wilted. Season with fresh black pepper to taste. Serve straight from the skillet, finish as desired with Parmesan Cheese.

Perfect with Garlic Toast and a simple toss salad. Enjoy!

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Sacrifice or oblation You wished not,
but ears open to obedience You gave me.