It’s a Friday but Not the First Friday

Lent has begun. Yet we don’t count this as the first Friday in Lent but rather the Friday following Ash Wednesday. Why? For reasons I don’t fully understand, we don’t start counting the Fridays and Sundays of Lent until the first Sunday.

However; for those Catholics who abstain from meat on the Fridays in Lent, the No-Meat Rule applies beginning today. To the rest of us who abstain throughout the year, welcome to just another Friday.

Did you know that Catholics are the reason McDonalds decided to start serving the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich? This was back in the day when every Friday was a mini day of abstinence and penance. McDonalds noticed a drop in sales on Fridays with all those Catholics headed over to Long John Silvers instead, so they came up with an alterative that was originally offered on Fridays. The Filet-O-Fish was so popular, that it’s now on the menu 365 days a week.

In honor of McDonald’s Friday Special, I thought we might revisit a share from the past for this Friday Following Ash Wednesday Supper.

Filet of Fish Sandwich
8 teaspoons Dried Minced Onions
2 teaspoons hot Water
6 tablespoons Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Miracle Whip
6 teaspoons Sweet Pickle Relish
Kosher Salt to taste
4 plain Hamburger Buns
Butter as needed
4 Fish Sandwich Filets such as Gortons
4 slices American Cheese

In a small bowl, re-hydrate the onion with a little hot water. Let sit for 5 minutes or so. Drain out any water that did not soak into the onion flakes. Add mayonnaise, Miracle White, Pickle Relish and stir to blend. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little salt if desired. Chill until ready to use.

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet to allow the heated air to circulate. To give the sandwich a “fried” fish touch, lightly the filets with cooking spray. Bake fish in the heated oven for 16 minutes, turning after 10 minutes. Top with cheese, if desired, during the last 2 minutes of cooking time.

While the fish is baking, brush the inside of the hamburger bun bottoms with a little soft butter. Lightly grill, then grill the faces of the top buns. Stack together and keep warm.

To assemble: Pile on the tarter sauce on both top and bottom bun. Place fish on the bottom bun. If desired, top with more sauce or enjoy as is with fries on the side.

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Seek good and not evil so that you may live,
and the Lord will be with you.