Bobby Flay and Father Leo. (Grace Before Meals
Posted on 09/10/2009 10:15:10 AM PDT by NYer
Father Leo Patalinghug’s “fusion fajitas” beat Bobby Flay’s “red curry-marinated skirt steak fajitas” Sept. 9 on the Food Network’s “Throwdown! With Bobby Flay.”
After preparing his signature dish for a crowd of parishioners at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland, the cooking priest commented, “My fusion fajitas are smokin.’ I guarantee this will make you say, ‘Thank you, God.’”
Divine providence was on Flay’s mind as he was driving to challenge the priest. “We’re going up against Father Leo,” he said. “As a former altar boy, I’m not so sure this is a good idea.”
During the challenge, Father Patalinghug shared some insights into his culinary skills. “Do you know who taught me how to cut?” he asked Flay. “Mother Teresa. When I was a seminarian, I’d go to the soup kitchens, and Mother Teresa said, ‘Okay, Brother, your job is to cut vegetables.’”
Both competitors recognized the skills of the other.
Flay said of the priest’s dish, “It’s a fajita with impact.”
Father Patalinghug said of Flay’s fajita, “This is absolutely delicious.”
The priest’s parishioners liked how his fajita was sweeter, but they also liked Flay’s spicy concoction.
The contest’s judges said of the priest’s fajita, “I’m liking the sauce” and “Somebody knew what they were doing when they were searing the meat.” Of Flay’s they commented, “There’s a smoky aftertaste” and “The peppers are more pronounced.”
Father Patalinghug pulled out his rosary during the judging. “Do you want one?” he asked Flay.
“What number are you on?” Flay replied.
“I lost count,” the priest admitted.
But then the suspense was over: The fusion fajitas won! The crowd erupted in ecstatic cheers when Father Patalinghug’s fajita prevailed; the priest-cook was beaming.
“There was lots of praying during the judging, but he didn’t need it,” Flay said after the results were in.
Father Patalinghug said of the win, “What an honor,” then added that the food’s purpose was achieved: “We brought families together.”
To get more background on Father Patalinghug’s cooking and food-based ministry for families, Grace Before Meals, see our previous post, which includes a link to a feature article on this winning priest and other “Catholics in the Kitchen.” To read Father Patalinghug’s reflection about the experience, go here: http://gracebeforemeals.com/soul/.
The showdown was quite entertaining; even prayerful ;-)
I’ll have to catch the rerun. Fr. Leo used to be at our parish.
Filipino Fajitas?
"Fusion" fajitas ... and he beat an Iron Chef!
He is quite an animated and enthusiastic priest! Fascinating life experiences, too.
Yes, he is. My kids love watching his breakdancing videos from his website. It was a great show!
Tune In:
Sep 20, 2009 11:00 PM ET/PT
Sep 21, 2009 2:00 AM ET/PT
“”Father Leo Patalinghug believes that the key to a healthy family are healthy meals eaten together, and he’s sending that message out through his web show, “Grace Before Meals.” With 10,000 hits a day, Father Leo is able to share his wisdom and his family friendly recipes in order to feed his flock: body, mind and soul. With dishes like Fusion Steak Fajitas, Father Leo is winning over his audience with every bite. But, will a little divine intervention help this Father when the Grill Master Bobby Flay heads into town on this episode of Throwdown?””
Flay’s recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/red-curry-marinated-skirt-steak-fajitas-recipe/index.html
This Iron Chef very rarely wins a throwdown. As in almost never.
Yeah. Have him sneak up on these small business owners, and stomp them. Cheat so you win, and show them up. Makes good sense. I saw him win a couple times, I think is was some Tex Mex thing, and it was embarrassing.
BTW I noticed he used flank steak in his fajitas. Anyone, who thinks they can make flank steak to the point that it’s edible is self-deceiving. That meat isn’t good for anything. You marinate and slow cook it for 48 hours and it’s still as tough as possum leather.
No wonder he lost.
I caught that show last night and got a big kick out of it. I think Bobby Flay is a genuinely nice guy and I love that this show takes unknowns with a special recipe and puts them in the spotlight. Father Leo handled himself well, what a character and what a joy.
My favorite part was when Father said “Seven minutes on one side, seven minutes on the other and seven minutes to rest. Why seven, seven, seven? Because I don’t like six, six, six.”
OK, now that’s pretty cool!
I cannot stand Bobby Flay for some reason.
It was great, both sides presented delicious fajitas but I had to agree, Fr Leo’s looked fantastic! Go Fr Leo! Even prayerful, and respectfully treated and with humor, too. I’m checking out Fr Leo’s website.
Yes!!! He was an absolute hoot! The match was fun, respectful with plenty of humor. I got a good laugh from watching Father and his friends with the rosaries and offering one to Bobby Flay. It's one of the few FN programs I really enjoy but last night was particularly delightful. Family friendly, too!
Freeper Iowamark has posted the rerun dates on this post. Enjoy!
**“There was lots of praying during the judging, but he didn’t need it,” Flay said after the results were in.**
Boy, I would love that recipe!
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