Prayers for St. Josephine Bakhita

The novena for this saintly lady started on January 31, and was followed on this link:  https://pray.app.link/stjosephinebakhitanovenaem. Her Feastday is February 8

St. Bakhita, a native of Sudan, was born in 1869 and passed away in 1947. She was kidnapped when she was young while still in Sudan, sold into slavery and was severely brutalized. She was eventually sold to an Italian consul and after some years became free. She became Christian and entered the religious life as a Canoccian Daughter of Charity. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 2000.

Ful Medames

If you feel like eating like a Sudanese, try this filling and nutritious recipe, with credit to Darlene at International Cuisine. https://www.internationalcuisine.com/ful-medames/

Ingredients

This is a hearty dish, and it is worth trying out to feed family and friends who enjoy foreign dishes. The original recipe does not call for canned fava beans, but if your market does not sell the dried version, buy three 14-ounce cans to complete the recipe. 

2 cups fava beans, dry

2 teaspoons salt, or to taste

2 teaspoons cumin, or to taste

2 medium tomatoes, diced

1 medium red onion, diced

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1 cup baby arugula

4 large, hard-boiled eggs, optional

2      Tbsp Sesame oil

Instructions

Soak the dry fava beans in water for at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain In a large pot, add in the soaked fava beans and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer, and cook for about 2 hours or until the beans are soft

Put the fava beans into a bowl along with some broth. Mash the beans using a potato masher or you could use a coke bottle like they do in Sudan. Add in the salt and cumin to taste.

Put the beans in your serving bowl and top with some of the tomatoes, cheese, arugula, and onions, top with sesame oil and serve with some warm flat bread.

Please also check out: Catholics in the Kitchen