Salt and Stone Bakery

During Lent, we try to pare down the excess noise in our lives and enter into the simplicity that Jesus walked during the forty days He spent in the desert. What Jesus did perfectly, we then try to imitate in our own frailty. So, for forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday the Church in her own way enters into the desert with our Lord to prepare for His Passion and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Through Church Tradition, we understand that the meal is a central part of our life. It is the point where we come together as families and friends. Jesus Himself pointedly and dramatically shared meals with all kinds of people as a way to grow closer to them. But even more profound is the reality that, ultimately, a meal becomes the source and summit (CCC p.1324) of our faith as Catholics in the Eucharist. How then, should this inform how we live our lives in the domestic church?

For many, regardless of their tradition, the family meal is the central component of family life. At least once daily, we gather around the table. We are forced to slow down and see each other face to face. The act of sharing a meal is a powerful way to bond with friends and family and the meals we eat are symbolic of our own culture and history. We are, in essence, sharing something of ourselves with the people with whom we share a meal. Naturally, our faith influences this pinnacle of home life as well.

During the season of Lent, our family simplifies many aspects of our lives including the meals that we eat. Often times, we abstain from meat and dairy during lent, so the meals I bring to the table look different than usual. Without trying, a simple change in the food I prepare prompts the children to pay attention. Such a small difference has caught their attention and they are drawn in to the season of fasting. A fast also turns their minds to the coming feast ahead and each night at the dinner table their curious hearts lead us on mini Lenten reflections as they try to internalize the life of the church.

As the days turn into weeks, I don’t want Lent to become drudgery. As a mother I want to teach my children that we can find joy in seasons of fasting. Turning inward does not mean scarcity and whatever we give to the Lord He will multiply. So, while we give up many things during Lent I still want to create beautiful meals for my family with what we have.

The perfect example of this is my simple rice pudding. Like the parable of the feeding of the five thousand, this recipe is a small way to acknowledge God’s ability to multiply the little that we have. Using some leftover rice, honey, vanilla and a bit of milk, you can create a delicious, nourishing, and simple dessert. My children love to add fresh fruit to the top as well for an extra kick of flavor and interest. The bonus? I can use up leftovers and odds and ends I have in my pantry.

I don’t mess around when I’m making this recipe. All you’ll need to do is dump everything into a medium sized pot, heat to a simmer and stir regularly until the pudding reaches your desired consistency. And viola, a delicious dessert.

Some possible combinations of flavors are:

• Chocolate
• Coconut-Mango
• Triple Berry
• Spiced Vanilla