As a kid, Ash Wednesday in our Catholic household generally meant fried salmon patties, macaroni and cheese or fish sandwiches from Mickey D’s. While mac and cheese was passable, salmon patties and fish sandwiches were a sacrifice to actually palette. Bill The Cat had some pretty good outbursts for things he didn’t like, but I am sure they were nothing compared to my kids’ faces the first time salmon patties were mentioned.
Then, I discovered Beach Bread. Specifically, Estero Beach at Fort Myers. No meat on the plate, but that doesn’t really qualify as a sacrifice… which is not in the spirit of Ash Wednesday. My kids’ faces are much happier when faced with an open face of olive oil toasted french bread, fresh basil, mozzarella and blue cheese, fresh and thinly sliced marinated tomatoes all slipped under the broiler for just the right amount of time.
My friends at the Hail Mary Pub here in Grayson, GA have a great version that will do if you are not of a mind to make it at home or don’t have the resources to hop down to the beach on a whim. The proprietors suggest that the Beach Bread goes well with a bowl of chili and a frosty mug of amber liquid. However, that falls even further out of the category of sacrifice and we still have yet to attend Mass…
Next up, whether to “give up” something for Lent or “give more” of oneself…something to think about.
FreelanceBeth 