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In Focus |
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| Promoting Grace Before Meals |
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| By Brandon Oland, Times Staff Writer |
Friday, October 09, 2009 |
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EMMITSBURG
Father Leo Patalinghug will do whatever it takes to get his message across.
He will show off his black-belt Tae Kwon Do skills if it helps an audience learn how to properly cope with anger.
He will break dance before hundreds if it will serve as an effective ice breaker.
He will show how to grill fusion steak fajitas if it will encourage families to eat meals together.
Patalinghug, 39, doesn’t need a pulpit. An apron and a grill will suffice.
For six years, the multitalented Patalinghug, who served as associate pastor at St. John Catholic Church in Westminster from 2003 to 2007, has devoted much of his spare time to his Grace Before Meals initiative.
He’s written a cook book. He’s starred in dozens of instructional cooking videos at www.gracebeforemeals.com. He said he hopes the sight of a priest handling a skillet will remind viewers to take a break from their hectic lives, cook more at home and eat together.
“Unfortunately, families don’t meet at the [dinner] table anymore,” said Patalinghug, now the director of pastoral field education at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg. “I’m just gently reminding them as a pastor that families need each other.”
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For the first time, he’ll get the chance to do so on a national cable television stage.
Patalinghug will star in the next episode of “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” at 9 p.m. Wednesday on Food Network.
Surprise challenge
In each “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” episode, Flay challenges a chef to a surprise cook off. Local judges decide the victor.
The show’s staffers trick the competitors into thinking they are filming a segment for a future cooking show. They bring a camera crew to the chef’s hometown and begin to film a segment. Then, without warning, Flay shows up and challenges the cook.
Patalinghug’s competition almost didn’t happen. Patalinghug had prior travel commitments for Grace Before Meals during the original dates Food Network suggested.
“I just told them ‘maybe this isn’t God’s will,’” he said. “They said ‘No it is. We want this on. We want to do this show.’”
The producers found a date that worked for Patalinghug and brought camera and crew.
While Patalinghug was in the midst of taping his segment June 9 in Emmitsburg, Flay arrived on set to his left. Not that Patalinghug noticed. He was so focused on getting through his segment in one take that he didn’t realize one of the world’s most famous chefs was about to give him the surprise of a lifetime.
“It was pretty shocking,” Patalinghug said. “I think I used God’s name, but not in vain.”
Food for families
Between his many responsibilities at The Mount and creating Grace Before Meals content, Patalinghug is busier than ever. Regardless, he seems to be having fun teaching families how to create everything from bacon-wrapped scallops to olive-based bruschetta.
Patalinghug developed a passion for cooking while attending the seminary at North American College in Rome. He adored how the Italians made tasty, robust meals that sometimes went on for hours. Many of the Patalinghug’s recipes are for pastas.
He has frequently cooked for former parishioners and fellow priests whenever given the chance.
“I have not had to cook for customers, but I am not devoid of the critique,” Patalinghug said. “Priests are very honest. They’ll tell me if this stinks.”
At the end of each online video, guests are asked to give an honest opinion of the food Patalinghug prepares. He gets plenty of thumbs up and compliments.
Regardless of the reaction, Patalinghug said he hopes his message of promoting family togetherness is getting out one meal at a time.
“Originally, fast food was supposed to help families make meals simpler,” Patalinghug said. “We’ve come to abuse that gift.”
Reach staff writer Brandon Oland at 410-857-7862 or brandon.oland@carrollcountytimes.com.
If You Go
What: Father Leo Patalinghug, formerly of St. John Catholic Church in Westminster, will be appearing on “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” at 9 p.m. Wednesday on the Food Network. To celebrate the airing of the show that was taped in June, Patalinghug will be hosting an outdoor viewing party Wednesday night in Baltimore that all are invited to attend. He will be on hand to sign cookbooks. Here are the details:
When: 8-10 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Da Mimmo’s Restaurant parking lot, 217 S. High St., Baltimore
Admission: Free
Information: ww.gracebeforemeals.com
RECIPE
Father Leo Patalinghug, the director of pastoral field education at Mount St. Mary’s University Seminary, has many talents, and cooking is one of them. Here is the latest recipe he posted on his blog, www.grace beforemeals.com. Glorious Hot Wings & Spicy Sauce: (Serves 2-4 people) Wings 10 chicken wings, cut into separate pieces. Discarding the wing tips is optional (but it makes it easier to cook if the wing tips are separated from the middle wing piece) 4 cups vegetable oil ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper Instructions: Heat oil in a large frying pan. Season wings with salt and pepper. Cook wings in batches for about 10 minutes, or until the wings are fully golden brown in color. Hot sauce 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon butter 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons hot sauce (any brand) 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 cloves garlic, minced 2n4 tablespoons red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper ¼ cup maple syrup Fresh cilantro Blue cheese Instructions: In a sauce pan, heat oil and butter together. Sauté the garlic and the red pepper flakes together. Remove from the heat and add the rest of the ingredients and mix together. Be careful as the other liquids may splatter in the hot oil. For assembly of the bowl: Pour some of the sauce on the bottom of a deep bowl (metal or glass). When the wings are cooked, remove from the oil, and instead of straining, place immediately in the bowl with the sauce. Mix the contents together. Add more sauce as desired. Plate with a small container of blue cheese, and sprinkle some fresh cilantro leaves on top of the hot wings.
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