New vs Old - Celebrate St. Anthony of Padua with Two Delicious Recipes

As the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua approaches on June 13th, it's the perfect time to gather your family and celebrate this beloved saint with some delicious homemade treats. St. Anthony is known for his deep devotion to the Catholic faith, his miraculous powers, and his love for the poor and suffering. What better way to honor his memory than by creating two special recipes that pay homage to his Italian heritage and the miracles associated with his life?

St. Anthony's Cake Recipe

One of the most traditional ways to celebrate St. Anthony's feast day is by making a special cake in his honor. The St. Anthony's Cake recipe has been passed down for generations, and it's a beloved tradition in many Catholic households. This delicious cake is known as "Dolce de Santo" and comes together fairly quickly!

To make this classic cake, you'll need the following ingredients:

Shell

• puff pastry (1 sheet frozen, defrosted according to package)
• 1/2 cup candied orange peel (or 1 Tbls orange zest)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• apricot jam
• crumbled amaretti cookies

Filling

• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 Tbls potato starch
• 1/4 cup almonds, toasted and chopped - or sliced
• zest from one lemon
• pinch of salt

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 8-inch cake pan. Line with parchment paper. Roll the puff pastry wide enough to lay in cake pan with overhand on all sides. On the bottom of pan atop of the puff pastry, add a layer of apricot jam (to taste- about 1/3 cup). On the apricot jam sprinkle the raisins, crumbled cookies, and orange zest or candied orange.

In a separate bowl mix the eggs, sugar, salt and lemon zest with an electric mixer on high until light, fluffy and quadrupled in volume. This takes about 6-10 minutes. To the egg mixture add the flour and potato starch and almonds and mix. Pour the filling into the shell.

Fold the extra puff pastry over the top and immediately place into the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and puffy and set in the center (shouldn't jiggle too much!). Allow to cool completely before serving.

Fish-Shaped Pizza

For a more modern twist on St. Anthony's feast day celebration, consider making a fun and creative fish-shaped pizza. This playful dish is a nod to the miracle of the fish, where St. Anthony is said to have preached to the fish when the people refused to listen to him. It's also a delicious way to incorporate St. Anthony's Italian heritage into your celebration.

To make the fish-shaped pizza, you'll need:

• 1 batch of your favorite pizza dough
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Toppings of your choice (such as pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, etc.) We used sliced zucchini for scales, yellow summer squash for the tail and fins and a black olive eye!

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the pizza dough into a large oval shape, about 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into the shape of a fish, with a pointed "head" and a rounded "tail."

Transfer the fish-shaped dough to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and then add your desired toppings.

Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

This fish-shaped pizza is not only delicious, but it's also a fun and interactive way to get the whole family involved in celebrating St. Anthony's feast day. Encourage your kids to help with the shaping and decorating of the pizza, and make it a memorable activity that brings everyone together.

Whether you choose to make the traditional St. Anthony's Cake or the whimsical fish-shaped pizza, these recipes are sure to add a touch of joy and celebration to your St. Anthony's feast day festivities. Enjoy these delicious treats with your loved ones, and remember to keep the spirit of St. Anthony's generosity and devotion alive in your hearts.