What do you think?
Rate this book
Grace Before Meals: Recipes and Inspiration for Family Meals and Family Life: A Cookbook
With just a few ingredients and a few hours of time, your kitchen can become the perfect setting not only for a delicious meal but for experiencing the greatest blessings in life.
In Grace Before Recipes and Inspiration for Family Meals and Family Life , Father Leo Patalinghug (yes, the same Father Leo who defeated Bobby Flay on Throwdown! ) helps you make family meals a way of life. Combining more than 30 simple but delicious recipes related to personal milestones, family holidays, and faith observances, along with scriptural references and short essays offering wisdom on faith, values, and family togetherness, Father Leo shows that mealtime is the perfect setting for discussing the major issues all families face. In fact, research shows that frequent family dinners can reduce many risks facing children, including drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, depression, eating disorders, and poor academic performance. These are meals that nourish body and spirit.
In Grace Before Recipes and Inspiration for Family Meals and Family Life , Father Leo Patalinghug (yes, the same Father Leo who defeated Bobby Flay on Throwdown! ) helps you make family meals a way of life. Combining more than 30 simple but delicious recipes related to personal milestones, family holidays, and faith observances, along with scriptural references and short essays offering wisdom on faith, values, and family togetherness, Father Leo shows that mealtime is the perfect setting for discussing the major issues all families face. In fact, research shows that frequent family dinners can reduce many risks facing children, including drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, depression, eating disorders, and poor academic performance. These are meals that nourish body and spirit.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
17 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 26, 2010
#70 - 2010.
Got a review copy in the mail yesterday and already can tell that this is a good book on several levels. Father Leo's focus is encouraging family participation in cooking and meals, which is something that I know has much more value than that bald statement can convey. Each short chapter is themed around a holiday or family celebration with an introduction basing it on faith, conversation starters, scripture to look up and read, and (naturally) recipes.
I have read the forward, intro, and dipped into a few chapters thus far. I want to read it all before actually reviewing it.
UPDATE
This actually is a good brief manual, of sorts, for having a Christian focus for holidays and important family events. Conversational starting points are provided, as are recipes for a main menu. I will be doing a more formal review of this on my blog, but that is the gist. I'd recommend it to anyone who feels they need a little help or support on family meals.
Got a review copy in the mail yesterday and already can tell that this is a good book on several levels. Father Leo's focus is encouraging family participation in cooking and meals, which is something that I know has much more value than that bald statement can convey. Each short chapter is themed around a holiday or family celebration with an introduction basing it on faith, conversation starters, scripture to look up and read, and (naturally) recipes.
I have read the forward, intro, and dipped into a few chapters thus far. I want to read it all before actually reviewing it.
UPDATE
This actually is a good brief manual, of sorts, for having a Christian focus for holidays and important family events. Conversational starting points are provided, as are recipes for a main menu. I will be doing a more formal review of this on my blog, but that is the gist. I'd recommend it to anyone who feels they need a little help or support on family meals.
June 29, 2017
My husband and I attended a cooking demonstration/NFP talk by Fr. Leo, and it was fabulous! He is funny and enthusiastic, and he has a passion for his faith that is inspiring! We are blessed to have him as a priest in our Catholic Church.
His cookbook is very good. It contains menus for various holidays, feast days and other family milestones. He weaves in stories, faith teachings and fun questions that families can discuss around the dinner table. His mission is to bring families together—ever stronger—through the family dinner.
(I only wish there were more photos!)
I have made three recipes from his cookbook so far, including his fajitas that won the "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," and all of them have been hits with my children. To me, that is the #1 criteria of a successful cookbook.
I highly recommend this cookbook, and if you ever have an opportunity to hear Fr. Leo talk, grab it! You will be so glad you did!
His cookbook is very good. It contains menus for various holidays, feast days and other family milestones. He weaves in stories, faith teachings and fun questions that families can discuss around the dinner table. His mission is to bring families together—ever stronger—through the family dinner.
(I only wish there were more photos!)
I have made three recipes from his cookbook so far, including his fajitas that won the "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," and all of them have been hits with my children. To me, that is the #1 criteria of a successful cookbook.
I highly recommend this cookbook, and if you ever have an opportunity to hear Fr. Leo talk, grab it! You will be so glad you did!
March 22, 2017
Beautifully written guide on how to nourish your family's bodies and souls. Father Leo has some great pointers and discussion questions to get families to open up and make a deeper emotional connection while preparing and eating a meal together. Very practical examples for how to be a domestic church and create a stability that images the love of God to the world.
February 8, 2016
I saw that Father Leo was coming to my church to present on Grace before Meals and I got curious. I knew I wouldn't be able to attend his presentation because I had a prior commitment but I am drawn to learning new ways of worship.
I like that this is meant to bring families together. I dislike being the only Catholic (or Christian) in my family and seeing so many resources for families but virtually none for Catholics without children or single Catholics. None of this has anything to do with Grace before Meals other than bringing an understanding of the feelings of jealousy I sometimes experience.
I like that he brings a variety of table topics to discuss at the dinner table, topics the whole family can participate in I like how he uses the liturgical calendar to add some grace to the dinner table. The recipes are delicious. About the only complaint I have about the recipes is that I wish there were more!
I like that this is meant to bring families together. I dislike being the only Catholic (or Christian) in my family and seeing so many resources for families but virtually none for Catholics without children or single Catholics. None of this has anything to do with Grace before Meals other than bringing an understanding of the feelings of jealousy I sometimes experience.
I like that he brings a variety of table topics to discuss at the dinner table, topics the whole family can participate in I like how he uses the liturgical calendar to add some grace to the dinner table. The recipes are delicious. About the only complaint I have about the recipes is that I wish there were more!
April 19, 2011
Father Leo had an idea involving food and prayer, like many good concepts his peers had their doubts, although I believe that has changed for the better from the success proven. I have not seen the television series or Father Leo on a popular food show called Throwdown with Bobby Flay. I wouldn't mind looking for them sometime because I did enjoy this book. There is some scripture with the coordinating holiday/recipes, ideas to celebrate and enjoy meals as family. The recipes are not complicated and varied with ingredients which is easier for the kids to help. I caught my oldest child reading this on his own, so that is always a reason to keep a good book around.
February 1, 2011
I had bought this book when it had first come out (and had given it as gifts to four friends in addition), and I will admit: even though I figured out his Fusion Fajita recipe is his variation on Bistek Tagalog, I wanted the recipe anyway—it beat the pants of Bobby Flay!!! I sat down and read the rest of it... and it's full of good stuff, great recipes, and wonderful reflections the entire family can enjoy. I cannot recommend this book enough!
April 4, 2012
This is not your typical book you read and return to the library or your bookshelf. It needs to be passed on to family and friends, used as a family reference, and brought out for special occasions. Reflection and recipes - what a combination. Fr. Patalinghug does a great job bring faith to everyday family events.
April 5, 2012
Enjoyable read - I like the prayers and the recipes.
June 20, 2013
This would be a good book to get families with kids talking at holy days and special feast. Lots of discussion questions, scripture, and recipes to make together. A nice addition to a home library.
June 28, 2014
I am reading this book now. I love it!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews