Source: M.studio, AdobeStockLent is no reason for a monotonous menu, because even without meat, eggs, or dairy products, it's easy to cook something delicious and interesting. In this selection, we'll share 25 excellent lenten recipes that are sure to impress!
Lenten Main Courses
Who said a hearty lunch or dinner can't be made without meat? Absolutely not true! Try it, and you'll be surprised how many great ideas can be successfully implemented without animal products!
Grechaniki (Buckwheat Patties)
Source: mirtesen.ruOriginal buckwheat patties that won't fall apart, thanks to the potatoes.
You will need: 300 g cooked buckwheat, 200 g potatoes, 4 tbsp flour, salt, spices.
Preparation: Grate the potatoes on a medium grater and mix all ingredients. Form small grechaniki and fry them for about 5 minutes on each side in a pan over medium heat.
Lobio with Red Beans
Source: postila.ruDon't forget to soak the beans overnight in advance so they cook faster.
You will need: 500 g red beans, 250 g tomatoes, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 50 g walnuts, 2-3 cloves garlic, cilantro, salt, ground red pepper, khmeli-suneli, spices.
Preparation: Soak and boil the beans until tender. Peel and grate the tomatoes, blend the walnuts, press the garlic, and chop the cilantro.
Chop and fry the onion with bell pepper and carrot for 5-7 minutes. Pour the tomatoes over the sautéed vegetables and simmer for another 7 minutes. Add the beans, and after another 5 minutes, add the walnuts, garlic, spices, and herbs. Mix everything and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat.
Chickpea Falafel
Source: cookpad.comCanned chickpeas will also work to save time.
You will need: 300 g chickpeas, 1.5 onions, 100 g herbs, 3-4 cloves garlic, 80 g flour, salt, paprika, curry, ground red pepper, ground coriander, spices.
Preparation: Soak the chickpeas overnight, boil them until tender, and mash with a blender or meat grinder. Similarly, chop the onion, garlic, and herbs, add the dry ingredients, and mix the mass. Adjust the amount of flour according to the consistency. With wet hands, form small falafel balls and fry them until golden brown in plenty of oil.
Baked Eggplant with Mushrooms
Source: dubainight.comThose elegant boats that are impossible to resist.
You will need: 2 eggplants, 150 g mushrooms, 1 bell pepper, 2 tomatoes, 1 onion, 1 handful walnuts, 3 cloves garlic, vegetable oil, herbs, salt, spices.
Preparation: Cut the eggplants in half and remove the pulp from the center. Salt the boats and drizzle with oil, then bake for 10-15 minutes in the oven at 250 degrees. Finely chop the remaining eggplant pulp, mushrooms, and other vegetables. Sauté everything together until soft, place the filling into the eggplant boats, then sprinkle with chopped nuts and herbs. Bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Cabbage Patties with Semolina
Source: rutube.ruA wonderful alternative to stewed cabbage or cabbage casseroles.
You will need: 500 g cabbage, 100 g semolina, 75 ml tomato sauce, herbs, salt, spices.
Preparation: Blend the cabbage into a puree, add semolina and spices, and mix. Let the mixture rest for half an hour, then form patties from the cabbage dough and fry until golden brown on both sides. After that, pour tomato sauce over them, sprinkle with herbs, and simmer for another 10 minutes over low heat.
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Lenten Soups
Especially for those who can't imagine their lunch without first courses. Aromatic, rich, and delicious soups will also perfectly diversify your lenten menu. Vegetables, grains, legumes – all at your disposal in any combination!
Pea Soup
Source: dzen.ruWe recommend using split peas because they cook faster.
You will need: 1.5 cups dried peas, 3-4 potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 onion, salt, spices.
Preparation: Cover the peas with water, bring to a boil, and cook until they swell. At the same time, chop and sauté the carrot and onion until soft. Add the chopped potatoes to the peas, and when they are almost cooked – add the prepared sautéed vegetables and spices. Simmer the soup for another 5 minutes.
Lentil Puree Soup
Source: cont.wsA popular Turkish dish that pairs perfectly with garlic croutons.
You will need: 1.5 cups red lentils, 4 potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp flour, salt, paprika, dried mint, spices.
Preparation: Chop the onion, grate the carrot, and dice the potatoes. Put them in a pot, pour in about 1.5-1.7 liters of water, add the lentils, and bring everything to a boil.
Cook for 25-30 minutes until the ingredients are soft, let cool, and blend the soup until smooth. Lightly fry the flour in vegetable oil, add tomato paste, and mix. Add the resulting dressing to the soup, season, and cook for another 5 minutes after boiling.
Vegetable Soup with Rice
Source: dreamstime.comFeel free to add any other vegetables or frozen mixes.
You will need: 300 g potatoes, 150 g rice, 1 bell pepper, 1 tomato, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 50 g green peas, 3 tbsp chopped tomatoes in their own juice, herbs, salt, spices.
Preparation: Rinse the rice and chop all vegetables. Cover the potatoes and rice with water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes. During this time, lightly sauté the carrot with onion and pepper, add tomatoes, green peas, and chopped tomatoes, simmer for another 5-7 minutes, and season. Add the resulting sautéed vegetables to the soup, bring it to a boil again, heat for 1-2 minutes, remove from heat, and sprinkle with chopped herbs.
Lenten Borscht
Source: pinterest.comThis classic simply must be included in the selection!
You will need: 5 potatoes, 500 g cabbage, 2 beets, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 1/2 bell pepper, 2 tbsp tomato paste, garlic, sugar, salt, spices.
Preparation: Grate the beets and carrots, chop the onion with bell pepper, and dice the potatoes. Cover the potatoes with water and put them to boil. During this time, sauté the onion with carrot, add the beets, and after a few more minutes – the pepper, tomato paste, and 5 tbsp of water from the potato cooking.
Simmer everything together for 15 minutes with the lid on. Add the shredded cabbage to the potatoes, bring to a boil again, and cook for 15 minutes. Add the sautéed vegetables, garlic, sugar, salt, and spices to taste to the pot. Cook for another 15 minutes with the lid on over minimal heat.
Lenten Shchi (Cabbage Soup)
Source: mirtesen.ruThis shchi is made with fresh cabbage and turns out very delicious.
You will need: 700 g cabbage, 500 g potatoes, 1 carrot, 2 onions, 30 g green onions, 30 g herbs, salt, spices.
Preparation: Cut all vegetables into strips, but leave one small potato whole. Cover the whole and chopped potatoes with water and cook for 15 minutes. Add the cabbage to the potatoes and cook for another 7-10 minutes. Separately sauté the onion with carrot until soft.
Remove the whole potato, mash it with a fork, and return it to the shchi. Add the sautéed vegetables to the pot, season, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add chopped herbs and green onions, mix, remove the shchi from heat, and let it steep for a bit under the lid.
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Lenten Salads
Don't limit yourself to a simple vegetable platter; add something that will make a lenten salad truly original – seeds, nuts, herbs, or legumes!
Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Walnuts
Source: sikhvaruly.ruIn the best traditions of Georgian cuisine – delicious and aromatic.
You will need: 2 cucumbers, 2 tomatoes, 2 purple onions, 2 handfuls walnuts, 1 bunch cilantro or other herbs, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, salt, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop the vegetables and mix them with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, spices, and chopped herbs. Sprinkle the finished salad with chopped nuts.
Potato and Mushroom Salad
Source: dzen.ruA hearty country-style salad that can even replace a main course.
You will need: 4 potatoes, 200 g pickled mushrooms, 2 large pickled cucumbers, 25 g herbs, vegetable oil, salt, spices.
Preparation: Boil the potatoes and cut all ingredients into medium pieces. Chop the herbs and dress the salad with vegetable oil and spices.
Lenten Chickpea Salad
Source: rutube.ruIts main highlight is the original sweet and sour dressing.
You will need: 3 cucumbers, 2 bell peppers, 1-2 carrots, 1 purple onion, 1-2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, 1 bunch herbs, 3 cloves garlic, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tbsp wine vinegar, 1.5 tbsp rice or apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp honey, sesame seeds or nuts, salt, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop all vegetables, chop the herbs with garlic, add chickpeas, mix, and season the salad. Mix olive oil and all vinegars, lemon juice, and honey, dress the salad, and sprinkle with nuts or sesame seeds.
Beetroot and Pomegranate Salad
Source: postila.ruFor when regular vinaigrette has become boring!
You will need: 2 boiled beets, 2 boiled carrots, 1 purple onion, 1 pomegranate, 10 g parsley, 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, salt, spices.
Preparation: Whisk together oil, lemon juice, honey, and spices. Grate the beets and carrots, chop the parsley with onion, and pour the prepared dressing over everything. Sprinkle the salad with pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds before serving.
Layered Salad with Mushrooms and Prunes
Source: rutube.ruThis will definitely require lenten mayonnaise or another suitable dressing.
You will need: 500 g mushrooms, 300 g carrots, 300 g onions, 150 g walnuts, 1 cup prunes, lenten mayonnaise.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over the prunes for 15 minutes, drain, and thinly slice. Toast the walnuts in a dry pan and also chop them. Shred the carrots into strips and simmer until soft. Separately chop and fry the onion, and separately – the mushrooms. Layer the salad: carrots, onions, fried mushrooms, prunes, walnuts. Spread lenten mayonnaise between the layers.
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Lenten Appetizers
Even during Lent, you can set a wonderful table to surprise guests and family. In this section, we offer several appetizer recipes that will adorn any festive or everyday meal!
Bean Spread
Source: здоровое-питание.рфIf you don't want to cook beans for a long time, just use canned ones.
You will need: 500 g cooked beans, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 2-4 cloves garlic, salt, paprika, ground nutmeg, spices.
Preparation: Chop and sauté the onion, carrot, and garlic, then drain the beans, but keep the liquid from the can or cooking. Add the beans to the vegetables, season, and simmer everything together for 5-6 minutes. Blend the spread until smooth. Add a little of the reserved liquid as needed for the desired consistency.
Mushroom Pâté
Source: mirtesen.ruA simple and delicious lenten appetizer for any occasion!
You will need: 800 g champignons or other mushrooms, 300 g onions, 150 g carrots, 3 cloves garlic, 20 g herbs, salt, spices.
Preparation: Chop and sauté the onion, carrot, and mushrooms until cooked. If using wild mushrooms, parboil them for 20 minutes first. Add garlic and herbs, season to taste, and blend the pâté until smooth.
Avocado Spread
Source: dzen.ruIf desired, add chopped chili pepper or finely diced tomatoes.
You will need: 3 avocados, 4 cloves garlic, 4 sprigs herbs, 1/2 lemon, 50 ml olive oil, salt, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop the garlic and herbs, mash the avocado pulp, and squeeze the lemon juice. Thoroughly mix all ingredients and season the spread to taste.
Quick Pickled Cabbage with Apples
Source: gastronom.ruWill be ready to eat in just one day!
You will need: 1.5 kg cabbage, 1.5 carrots, 300 g sweet and sour apples, 2 cloves garlic, 750 ml water, 150 ml vinegar, 80 ml vegetable oil, 2.5 tbsp salt, 3 tbsp sugar, 3 bay leaves, 4 cloves, 15 black peppercorns, 3 allspice berries.
Preparation: Shred the cabbage and carrots, slice the apples thinly, and chop the garlic. Boil the marinade from the remaining ingredients, pour it over the prepared vegetables, mix, and let cool. Cover the container and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Vegetable Caviar with Mushrooms
Source: cookpad.comThe easiest recipe, and you definitely have the ingredients at home.
You will need: 600 g mushrooms, 3 tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 250 ml tomato juice, garlic, salt, spices.
Preparation: Chop and sauté the onion with carrot until soft. Add chopped mushrooms and bell pepper, fry for another 5 minutes, then pass everything through a meat grinder, adding peeled tomatoes at the same time. Pour in the tomato juice and simmer the caviar for 10 minutes. At the end of cooking – season everything with spices and garlic.
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Lenten Desserts
There's no need to completely give up desserts during Lent. After all, you can make excellent desserts without milk and eggs that are no worse than classic ones!
Banana Cake
Source: indiatimes.comMade with vegetable oil – just what you need.
You will need: 3 bananas, 200 g flour, 100 g brown sugar, 60 ml vegetable oil, 3 tsp baking powder, 3 tsp ground cinnamon.
Preparation: Mash the peeled bananas with a fork and rub them with oil and sugar. Add the dry ingredients, thoroughly mix the dough, and add nuts or candied fruits if desired. Bake the cake for 40 minutes in the oven at 200 degrees.
Coconut Milk Pudding
Source: simplyrecipes.comExotic and yet very simple to prepare!
You will need: 400 ml coconut milk, 60-80 g sugar, 30-35 g cornstarch, ground cinnamon, salt.
Preparation: Thoroughly mix all ingredients and bring them to a boil, stirring constantly. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes over low heat until thickened. Then pour the pudding into molds, cover with film, and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
Baked Pear with Honey and Nuts
Source: dreamstime.comA lenten dessert for every day, which is also very healthy.
You will need: 1 pear, 50 g walnuts, 40 ml honey, 0.5 tbsp lemon juice, 0.3 tsp ground cinnamon.
Preparation: Cut the pear in half, remove the core, drizzle with lemon juice, and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Then pour honey over everything, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees.
Lenten Honey Gingerbread
Source: cookpad.comThis gingerbread is sometimes also called monastic.
You will need: 250 ml water or black tea, 50 ml vegetable oil, 250 g flour, 200 g sugar, 100 g raisins, 4 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp cocoa, 2 tsp baking powder, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt.
Preparation: Mix warm water, honey, and sugar, then add all dry ingredients. Mix the dough, pour in the oil, and mix again. Finally, add raisins and bake the gingerbread for 45 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees.
Dried Fruit Candies
Source: postila.ruThis recipe will also appeal to those who follow a healthy diet.
You will need: 150 g walnuts, 150 g dried apricots, 150 g dates, 150 g prunes, 50 g pine nuts, 3 tsp honey, cocoa, poppy seeds, sesame seeds.
Preparation: Rinse and soak dried fruits in boiling water for 15 minutes, drain, and blend them with nuts almost until smooth. If necessary, add a little water during the process. Mix in honey and roll small balls with wet hands. Roll the resulting candies in poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or cocoa to taste, and refrigerate for several hours.