Alright, listen up, y’all. We gonna talk ’bout some cookin’ for that Lenty time, you know, when you gotta eat different. Them fancy folks call it “Orthodox Lenten Recipes,” but I just call it good eatin’ that don’t break no rules. So, let’s get down to it.
What you can eat, what you can’t. Now, Lent, it ain’t like every other day. You gotta watch what you stuff in your mouth. No meat, that’s for sure. No chicken, no pig, no cow, nothin’ like that. And no dairy, so no milk, no cheese, none of that creamy stuff you like. Fish? Well, kinda. No fish with a backbone, they say. So, shrimps and such, them’s alright. But the regular fish? Nope. Oh, and olive oil and wine? Most days, gotta skip them too. But weekends, hallelujah, you can have a little bit. It’s complicated, I tell ya, but we’ll get through it together.
Now, some folks get all fancy with it, but I like to keep it simple. Here’s a few things you can make without fussin’ too much.
- Bulgur Wheat Salad: This here’s a good one. You take that bulgur wheat, you know, that kinda grainy stuff. Boil it up ’til it’s soft. Then, you chop up some veggies. Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, whatever you got growin’ in the garden. Mix it all together. A little salt, a little pepper. Boom! You got yourself a salad. Some folks put in parsley, some folks put in mint. Me? I put in whatever I got on hand. It fills you up good, and it don’t cost much. And it’s tasty, real tasty.
- Lentil Soup: Soup is always good, especially when it’s cold outside. And lentil soup, well, that’s just about the easiest thing to make. You take some lentils, them little bean things. Wash ’em good. Then you put ’em in a pot with water. Add some chopped onions, some carrots, maybe a potato if you got one. Let it all simmer ’til them lentils is soft. Salt, pepper, that’s all you need. If you wanna get fancy, you can add a little tomato paste. But me? I like it plain and simple. Good for the soul, I tell ya.
- Vegetable Stew: Now, this here is where you can use up all them veggies in the fridge. Potatoes, carrots, celery, whatever you got. Chop ’em up, throw ’em in a pot with some water. Let it simmer ’til everything’s cooked through. You can add some beans if you want, some chickpeas, some kidney beans. Whatever you like. Just make sure you got enough water so it don’t stick to the bottom. This here is a good one for a big family. Fills up them bellies without emptying your pockets. And it tastes better the next day, you know?
- Pasta with Shellfish: Okay, so remember I said no fish with a backbone? Well, shellfish, that’s different. Shrimp, crabs, that kinda stuff, you can have it. So, you boil up some pasta – make sure it ain’t got no eggs in it though! – and then you sauté some shrimp with garlic and maybe some tomatoes. Mix it all together. There you go! Pasta with shellfish. It’s a little fancier, but still easy to make. And it makes you feel like you’re eatin’ good, even when you’re Lentenin’.
Now, I know some of y’all are thinkin’ this sounds borin’. But it ain’t, I promise. You just gotta get a little creative. And remember, it ain’t just about the food. It’s about cleanin’ your heart and your mind too. So, while you’re eatin’ this simple food, you gotta be thinkin’ good thoughts, doin’ good deeds. That’s what Lent’s really about. And don’t you be complainin’! It’s just for a little while. And when Easter comes, oh honey, we gonna have a feast!
A few more tips from me: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different veggies, different spices. And don’t worry if it ain’t perfect. It’s the thought that counts. And don’t you go buyin’ all that fancy stuff at the store. Use what you got. That’s what our grandmothers did, and that’s what we gonna do too. And most important of all, share what you got. If you got extra food, give it to someone who needs it. That’s what bein’ a good person is all about.
So there you have it. Some simple food for a simple time. Now get in that kitchen and start cookin’! And don’t you forget to say your prayers!
Tags: [Orthodox Lent, Lenten Recipes, Fasting, Greek Orthodox, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Bulgur Wheat, Lentil Soup, Vegetable Stew, Shellfish, Simple Cooking]
