The table is a place of fellowship. It’s a place for gathering with loved ones and enjoying the blessings of life – for conversations that encourage and strengthen our faith. Even Jesus knew this, as He gathered with the disciples for the Last Supper, turned water into wine at Cana, and provided food for the 5,000. Mealtimes can and should be a time for uplifting the spirit – but sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start.
That’s why today we’re inviting you to discover five Catholic cookbooks featuring everything from vegetarian recipes straight from monastery kitchens, to saint-inspired dishes from around the world. Bon appétit!
Cooking with the Saints
From traditional Cottage Pie for St. Patrick’s Day to Basque Lamb Stew for the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, the delicious recipes in this unique cookbook will spark a greater love for the saints. This recipe book includes brief saint biographies and accompanying dishes tied to the liturgical feasts of the Church, featuring:
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- Dishes from dozens of countries, including Ethiopia, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Korea, Scotland, France, Greece, and Sweden
- 60 fascinating saint biographies
- A comprehensive list of celebratory cookies for feast days throughout the year
- Traditional recipes such as Roman Honey Cake, Hungarian Goulash Soup, and Papal Cream Cake
- A handy index to help you find the perfect dinner
- A carefully categorized shopping list for each recipe to save you time in the store
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Gathered by Alexandra Greeley, a professional chef and author of 35 cookbooks, and Fernando Flores, a world traveler and aficionado of all things food and faith-related, this collection of recipes has been home-tested by our team of Christian mothers and their families.
The Vatican Cookbook
For more than five hundred years, the members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard have served as the elite protectors of the popes – now they’re unveiling the secrets of the finest modern Roman cuisine. Featuring a unique collection of exceptional recipes and classics served at Vatican tables for centuries, The Vatican Cookbook covers everything from the simple to the sublime, from everyday staples to holiday feasts. Best of all, it pays tribute to Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Saint John Paul II with their favorite dishes from their homelands of Argentina, Bavaria, and Poland.
You can also enjoy legends handed down by Swiss Guards since the days of Michelangelo and superb photographs giving a look behind the scenes to Vatican City’s hidden gems. For all who love to cook and for all who are fascinated by the wonders and grandeur of the Vatican, the Swiss Guard is pleased to present The Vatican Cookbook.
The Lenten Cookbook
From the award-winning chef and former Vatican Swiss Guard David Geisser who brought you The Vatican Christmas Cookbook comes a collection of 75 new international recipes specially conceived for the penitential season of Lent. With delicious soups, salads, curries, and classic Lenten staples, Chef Geisser offers a uniquely Catholic way of celebrating the Lenten season in your home. More than just a cookbook, this first-ever guidebook for mealtimes in Lent features essays from acclaimed biblical scholar Scott Hahn, who reflects on the history of fasting and its integral role in our personal spiritual growth. Hahn provides guidance on how to practice a holy Lent, return your focus to Christ, and how to carry the joys of Lent forward into the rest of the year. You’ll also learn of forgotten Catholic traditions and timeless customs, such as St. Martin’s Lent, Ember Days, and Rogation Days and how you can apply these time-honored periods of grace to your spiritual life today.
This culinary masterpiece includes scores of meatless dishes, inspiring Scripture verses, quotes from the saints, and more!
Dining with the Saints
In this delightful book, the inimitable theologian and mixologist Michael Foley teams up with the priest and TV chef Leo Patalinghug in a culinary romp through the liturgical year.
Want to get closer to the saints while upping your dinner game? Dining with the Saints brings the Catholic liturgical year to life, pairing over 200 saints’ stories with an irresistible smorgasbord of international recipes. Honor St. Maria Goretti with Goretti Tiramisu, join St. Benedict by cooking Eggs Benedict with Basil Hollandaise, and more with this delectable collection! Featuring dozens of new and exciting recipes, Dining with the Saints provides ideas for an unforgettable feast that everyone will enjoy!
Sacred Feasts from a Monastery Kitchen
Straight from the monastery kitchen of Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette, Sacred Feasts is a cookbook to help you celebrate the sacred feasts of the year. In this collection, Brother Victor-Antoine focuses on using seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables to create vegetarian dishes that are delicious, healthy, attractive, and affordable. Recipes include simple and savory desserts, main dishes, and entire meals to help celebrate feast days and family get-togethers – or even just to make the most ordinary day special. This is the perfect recipe book for everyone who loves to cook with fresh in-season fruits and vegetables!
*Book descriptions adapted from their respected publishers
Looking for more book recommendations?
There’s always more to read! In June’s Book Club post, we discuss four books for Catholic fathers, covering a variety of topics from the practical to the spiritual.