Source: Esin Deniz, AdobeStockEven Lenten cuisine should be balanced and varied, as it's primarily about health. We've compiled a large selection of Lenten appetizer recipes for you – light, accessible, and at the same time, far from ordinary. They will be equally good for everyday meals and for a festive table!
1. Lenten Bean Pâté
Source: mirtesen.ruFor simplicity, we suggest using ready-made canned beans.
You will need: 1 onion, 1 carrot, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 400 g canned red beans, 1 tsp paprika, salt, spices.
Preparation: Chop and fry the onion and carrot until golden. Add the beans and garlic, and fry for a few more minutes. Blend the pâté until smooth and season to taste.
2. Lenten Eggplant Rolls
Source: ok.ruInstead of eggplant, you can use zucchini or summer squash following the same principle.
You will need: 2 eggplants, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 200 g mushrooms, spices, garlic, herbs.
Preparation: Slice the eggplants thinly and fry until browned. Chop and fry the carrot, onion, and mushrooms until cooked through. Add herbs, garlic, and spices to the filling. Roll the filling in the eggplant slices and serve.
3. Tofu Spread
Source: pinterest.comAn alternative to all cheese pâtés and spreads, made with soy cheese.
You will need: 200 g tofu, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 bunch parsley, 2 cloves garlic, 2 pinches paprika, spices.
Preparation: Pick the parsley leaves and roughly chop the tofu. Blend the spread until smooth.
4. Lavash Roll with Korean Carrots
Source: parslavash.comIf desired, add a little crumbled tofu to the filling for a salad.
You will need: 1 sheet lavash, 150 g Korean carrots, 3 tbsp canned corn, 1 cucumber, Lenten mayonnaise, herbs.
Preparation: Spread Lenten mayonnaise on the lavash sheet. Layer the Korean carrots and cucumber cut into strips. Sprinkle with corn and herbs, roll tightly, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Slice the roll into pieces.
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5. Avocado Guacamole
Source: chefaleksey.comA popular Mexican appetizer that fits perfectly into a Lenten diet.
You will need: 1 avocado, 1/2 red onion, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 lime or lemon, 1 chili pepper, 2 sprigs cilantro, 1 tbsp olive oil.
Preparation: Mash the avocado flesh using any convenient method. Squeeze the lime juice, add olive oil, finely chop the remaining ingredients, and mix the guacamole. Season to taste.
6. Quick Pickled Cucumbers in a Bag
Source: montisbar.ruOne of the simplest and quickest ways to prepare your favorite cucumbers.
You will need: 1.5 kg cucumbers, 2 cloves garlic, 70 g salt, 15 g sugar, 1 cherry leaf, 1 horseradish leaf, 1 bay leaf, 2 green onion stalks, 1 tbsp chopped dill, 0.5 tsp coriander, 5 black peppercorns.
Preparation: Soak the cucumbers in cold water for 1 hour and trim the ends. Chop all the herbs and garlic. Put all ingredients into a bag, tie it, shake, and leave the cucumbers at room temperature for 4-5 hours. Then refrigerate for another 2 hours.
7. Classic Hummus
Source: AdobeStockFor the classic recipe, dried chickpeas are used, not canned.
You will need: 100 g chickpeas, 10 ml lemon juice, 20 ml olive oil, 5 g cumin, 5 g smoked paprika, 40 g tahini.
Preparation: Soak the chickpeas overnight and boil until tender. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend the hummus until smooth.
8. Marinated Zucchini
Source: attuale.ruIt tastes best when made with young and fresh zucchini.
You will need: 2 zucchini, 6 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, 5 sprigs dill, 1 tsp salt, spices.
Preparation: Using a vegetable peeler, slice the zucchini into thin ribbons, salt them, leave for half an hour, and drain excess juice. Chop the herbs and garlic, and mix all ingredients for the marinade. Pour it over the zucchini and leave for 2-3 hours.
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9. Eggplant Vegetable Caviar
Source: postila.ruOne of the best vegetable appetizers that no one can resist.
You will need: 4 eggplants, 7 plum tomatoes, 1/2 head garlic, 2 onions, 50 g herbs, 100 ml vegetable oil, spices.
Preparation: Cut the eggplants into sticks and fry them in batches until browned. Separately chop and fry the onion and garlic. Add the tomatoes and simmer until soft. Pass all ingredients through a meat grinder, add chopped herbs and spices, and heat the caviar for a couple more minutes.
10. Muhammara
Source: zoon.ruA stunning Middle Eastern appetizer based on bell peppers and nuts.
You will need: 5 bell peppers, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1 onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp cumin, spices and salt.
Preparation: Roast whole peppers in the oven at 200 degrees until charred. Place them in a bag for 15 minutes, then peel the flesh. Toast and chop the walnuts. Chop and fry the onion and garlic until golden. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend to the desired consistency.
11. Lenten Mushroom and Bean Pâté
Source: postila.ruA very original and not-so-classic recipe for variety.
You will need: 1/3 cup white beans, 1/3 cup red beans, 160 g oyster mushrooms, 200 g button mushrooms, 120 g onion, 1 handful walnuts, 2 cloves garlic, spices.
Preparation: Boil the beans in advance or use canned ones. Chop and fry the onion and both types of mushrooms until cooked. Toast the walnuts in a pan and chop finely. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend the pâté until smooth.
12. Lenten Stuffed Peppers
Source: za-edoy.ruAn unusual version of marinated vegetables – delicious and beautiful.
You will need: 10 bell peppers, 1/2 head cabbage, 1 carrot, 1 liter water, 100 ml vegetable oil, 200 g sugar, 100 ml vinegar, 1 tbsp salt, 1-2 chili peppers, 5 cloves garlic.
Preparation: Remove seeds from peppers, pour boiling water over them, boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat, and leave for another 5 minutes. Thinly shred cabbage and carrot, and stuff the cooled peppers with them. Boil one liter of the remaining broth with all other ingredients. Place the stuffed peppers in a pot, pour the marinade over them, cover, and refrigerate for 7 days.
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13. Lenten Bruschetta with Vegetables
Source: AdobeStockA light, delicious, and healthy quick appetizer.
You will need: 1 bunch radishes, bread, Lenten mayonnaise, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cucumber, 2 green onion stalks, 2 sprigs dill, spices.
Preparation: Slice bread into bruschetta and toast in a pan. Mix a few spoons of Lenten mayonnaise with chopped green onion, garlic, and spices. Spread this mixture on the bruschetta and arrange thin slices of cucumber and radish. Sprinkle with dill.
14. Beet Pkhali
Source: matreshkinn.comThese Georgian pkhali can be made from various vegetables or greens.
You will need: 4 beets, 100 g walnuts, 1-2 onions, 1 bunch cilantro, 4 cloves garlic, 0.5 tsp each of khmeli-suneli and coriander, salt, spices, wine vinegar.
Preparation: Roast and peel the beets, then grate them finely. Pass all other ingredients through a meat grinder and mix them with the beets. Add spices and a few drops of wine vinegar, mix the mass, and form pkhali balls.
15. Lenten Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach
Source: postila.ruInstead of bulgur, you can also use rice or another grain of your choice.
You will need: 16 large mushrooms, 1 can olives, 1 onion, 100 g bulgur, 1 bunch spinach, spices, aromatic herbs, lemon juice.
Preparation: Cook bulgur according to package instructions. Chop and fry spinach with onion and chopped mushroom stems until soft. Separately chop the olives. Mix all ingredients and season. Brush mushroom caps with oil, stuff them, sprinkle with lemon juice, and bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees.
16. Lenten Herring Forshmak
Source: malinika.ruWith fish, but without eggs, milk, or butter – an excellent recipe.
You will need: 1 herring, 1 slice white bread, 1 clove garlic, 1 onion, 1 green apple, 100 ml water, 1 tbsp vinegar, salt, spices.
Preparation: Soak the bread in water, and debone the herring. Roughly chop the onion and apples, fry the onion until golden. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend the forshmak until smooth.
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17. Lenten Lentil Patties
Source: recepty-s-photo.ruA versatile quick snack, and very filling too.
You will need: 1 cup red lentils, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 3 tbsp semolina, spices, breadcrumbs.
Preparation: Cook lentils according to package instructions and mash them into a puree. Finely chop the onion, grate the carrot, and fry them until soft. Mix the vegetables with the lentil puree, add spices and semolina. Let the mixture cool completely, form patties, coat them in breadcrumbs, and fry on both sides over medium heat.
18. Bruschetta with Tofu and Mushrooms
Source: dzen.ruFor aroma, drizzle them with a small amount of balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with herbs.
You will need: 120 g tofu, 6 sun-dried tomatoes, 3 mushrooms, spices, bread, 1 clove garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil.
Preparation: Mash the tofu with a fork, along with olive oil, garlic, and all spices to taste. Toast bread slices and spread this mixture on them. Separately fry and arrange mushroom slices on top, and on them – roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
19. Zucchini Rolls with Tofu
Source: pro-orehi.ruTo prevent the rolls from unraveling, you can secure them with skewers.
You will need: 2 zucchini, 200 g tofu, 3 sprigs parsley, 3 sprigs basil, spices.
Preparation: Blend the tofu with herbs and spices until smooth. Slice zucchini into thin strips lengthwise and fry on both sides until browned. Roll the tofu filling in them and serve.
20. Slow-Cooked Cherry Tomatoes
Source: mykaleidoscope.ruIt's best to mix several varieties of tomatoes of different shades.
You will need: 600 g cherry tomatoes, 2 heads garlic, 5 sprigs each of thyme and rosemary, 300 ml olive oil, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, ground black pepper.
Preparation: Halve the cherry tomatoes, and separate the garlic into cloves and lightly crush them. Heat the oil with garlic and herbs, heat for 5 minutes, then add the tomatoes. Cook for 30-40 minutes over low heat, then add salt, paprika, and black pepper. Let the preparation cool and refrigerate for 1-2 days to infuse.