The Catholic Kid Caper

Along with growing up Catholic, comes numerous obligations and ritualistic traditions. Some are formal, such as making First Holy Communion or Confirmation. Some are mere expectations, such as going to mass every Sunday.

Being a devoted Sacred Heart School Girl, I consciously fulfilled my Catholic responsibilities. Not only was I in attendance at Mass each week, but the entire SHS class could be found in church each and every Holy Day. Proudly cloaked in our maroon and gray uniforms, we were poised and serious...until something funny happened, and we would have to hold in our hysteria until we were about to bust!

I think the most embarrassing occurrence was when my friend and I remained standing during mass, eyes planted on the altar, while the rest of the congregation sat down in their pews! Actually, the two of us should have been commended for our straight heads, and reverent stance...even if we did look like two church idiots!

Maybe it was that embarrassing moment that led me to stray from my religious obligations...especially once we knew how to drive!

I think back to that warm Sunday morning. There was a husky breeze in the summer air, and the cicadas buzzed steadily in the background. My good friend, just bought a new car. It was a velvety maroon Pontiac Sunbird, with a creamy tan interior. Boy was that car sharp! We planned to drive to 10:00 mass. Wouldn't it be nice to stretch that Sunbird's wings onto the Garden State Parkway, instead of sitting in a subdued church for a long, dreary mass!

There's something amazing about how friends can read each other's minds! No sooner did I slip into the front seat, before that vehicle turned south, straight for the Jersey Shore! Having calculated our secret escapade to last four hours maximum, we made sure we stated that we were going to Saddle Brook Diner after mass for a hefty breakfast!

The ride was a snap! Most of the traffic was on the north side of the highway. Upon arrival, we quickly headed for Seaside Heights Boardwalk. I loved the expansive wooden slats that hugged the white shoreline for miles. The salt-soaked breeze gently caressed our faces as we walked among the crowd.

The playful booths began taunting us to dish out some cash. My temptation was the Coin Toss. In the past, I broke many a dollar bill for countless quarters, tossed onto glass plates, only to bounce on the ground. Although I never had success, I still managed to love this challenging game.

That infamous day, I had one quarter in my pocket...what the heck. I maneuvered myself to the front of the booth, leaned over, took aim, and tossed the coin in the air. Oddly, it had a slight backward pitch, and floated upward ever so gently. I watched the coin in slow motion as it plopped perfectly down onto the center of one of those glass plates!

I stood there stunned, as the little man behind the booth waived his arm toward a slew of dangling, life-sized, stuffed animals. "Take your pick", I heard as my eyes landed on the biggest, cutest stuffed raccoon. Proudly, I waddled away with my arms wrapped around my prized possession, until my heart sank. I was supposed to be praying...not tossing coins!

For those of you who are not Catholic, making confession is another component of our holy duties. Mama Melisi actually smiled as I confessed our sin. Rocky the Raccoon was hoisted in the corner of my bedroom...and to this day, I laugh at how we blundered the Catholic Kid Caper!

We offer, however, a wonderful Haddock Fish recipe with a delicious caper topping. It's quick and easy...and we guarantee you will pull this one off! Again, we offer this recipe to you with love!

From Mama Melisi and Me

Haddock Fish with a Tomato Caper Topping

Ingredients:

1 lb Haddock
1 Fresh tomato chopped
1 Tablespoon capers (rinsed well)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Lemon Pepper
Garlic Powder
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cooking Directions:

Rinse the haddock and pat dry
Cut into serving pieces and sprinkle both sides with lemon pepper
Place on a dish and set aside
Soak the capers in cold water for approx 10 minutes because they are salty
Prepare the topping - chop a tomato and place in a small bowl
Add the chopped parsley garlic powder and capers
Add about 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
Mix well

Spray a baking dish with pam
Place the fish fillets in the dish and spoon the tomato mixture on the top of the fish
Place in a preheated 350 degree oven
Bake from 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish