On This Most Holy Thursday

The Events of Holy Thursday
Jesus and His disciples shared the Last Supper on Holy, or Maundy Thursday in an upper room. On this day, Jesus did more than just enjoy a meal with his followers. He washed the feet of His disciples and established the sacrament of Holy Communion.

So He got up from the meal and took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord, “ Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
John 13:4-9

Holy Thursday is a lesson in humility, in sacrifice and in the importance to love one another as Christ loves us. For Catholics, it is so much more. In the communal of the breaking of unleavened bread and the blessing of wine at the Last Supper, Christ Himself is establishing the Eucharist.

“Take this bread all of you and eat of it. In the future this will symbolize my body, which was given up for you.” No, those are not the words He spoke. Matthew (who was obsessed with getting everything right) tells us While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take and eat it,” He said; “This is My body.” He did not mince His words when He established Holy Communion through the transformation of the Holy Eucharist. This transformation is made possible by the Holy Spirit; handed down from Saint Peter, the first Pope seated by Christ himself to all the ordained that followed in his footsteps. At the heart of Catholic faith is the knowledge the Eucharist is the physical body and blood our Lord. For us it’s that simple. A true act of faith.

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In the past many of the recipes we’ve shared on Holy Thursday were Christian takes on the Passover Seder. I have mixed emotions about borrowing something from Judaism that is not in keeping with the Jewish Faith. Just as I would take issue with Non-Catholics, lacking the necessary understand of Communion, to receive a consecrated Host.

Surf and Turf that involves the consumption of any shell fish is about as far from Kosher as you can get. When it comes to fish and seafood, there are rules governing what is and what is not Kosher. The short answer when it comes to shell fish is that Kosher fish must have both fins and scales. Shell fish have neither, and therefore are not Kosher. When you think about it, not all fish swimming in the waters of the world meet this requirement. Catfish immediately spring to mind as lacking in scales.

This meal has nothing to do with an attempt to recreate a Seder Supper and everything to do with a nice non-Kosher meal shared around our family table. That said, let’s get to cooking.

Surf-n-Turf with Garlic Butter Potatoes
For the Garlic Butter Potatoes
1-1/2 lbs Baby Red Potatoes
3 Garlic Cloves
4 tablespoons Butter
1-1/2 teaspoons Parsley Flakes
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

For the Turf
3 (8 oz) boneless Ribeye Steaks
1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1-1/2 teaspoons Black Pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons Steak Seasoning
1-1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil

For the Surf
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/2 lb large (16-20 count) raw Shrimp
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Butter
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Prepare the Potatoes: Scrub skins, cut potatoes in half. Place potatoes in a pot of salted water to boil for 10 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain Potatoes, set aside. While the potatoes boil, peel and mince the garlic.

Prepare the Steaks: Season both sides of each steak with salt, pepper and steak seasoning. Let rest on the counter for 30 minutes.

Prepare the Shrimp: Peel and finely mince garlic. Peel, devein shrimp. Set garlic aside, keep shrimp chilled until ready to cook.

Fry the Potatoes: In a skillet melt butter over medium heat, add minced garlic and sauté for about 90-seconds. Toss the potatoes in the garlic butter. Season with salt and pepper, fry until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, keep warm until ready to serve.

Sprinkle potatoes with parsley flakes just before serving.

Grill Steaks: Heat grill to medium-high heat. Rub steaks with olive oil. Sear on the grill for 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, 5 to medium or cook to desired doneness. (But if you go much beyond medium you may as well dine on shoe leather)

Remove steaks, cover and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Sauté the Shrimp: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté for 30-seconds or until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper and a pinch of paprika. Sauté shrimp abut 5 minutes until opaque on both sides; turning as needed for even cooking.

Assemble and Serve: Individually plate the steaks. Divide shrimp and garlic butter potatoes among the individual plates.

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I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,
Says the Lord God
Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty
Revelations 1:8