The annual Christian period of Lent is in effect, and millions of believers around the world are observing the traditional practice of refraining from eating Meat on Fridays. Today, I thought we should explore the ins and outs of the season and provide some Meatless Meal suggestions…
White Shrimp Lasagne: Just one of millions of possibilities for Meatless Fridays.
What is Lent?
It’s an annual observance leading up to Easter, during which Christian believers prepare themselves to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most holy point in their year. During Lent, participants do penance, repent their sins, give to the poor and practice denial of self – penance to the Ego.
On Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, and on all Fridays up to and including Good Friday, Lenten observers refrain from eating meat as part of their pledge of self-denial.
The rules vary slightly from one Christian sect to another and from country to country, but Wikipedia says that, in the U.S.: “Every person 14 years or older must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. Every person between the age of 18 and 59 (beginning of 60th year) must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.”
In Canada, the U.K. and many other countries, Church members are not only supposed to abstain from Meat on Fridays during Lent, but on all Fridays’ year round. Hence, the genesis of the well-known ‘Fish on Fridays’ rule.
What’s taboo and what’s for you?
‘Meat’, according to the Lenten rules, is just about vegetarians consider ‘Meat’; not just Red Meat, but Poultry, as well. Anything that ‘walks on the land or flies in the air’. But that leaves all the Fish and Seafood, and all the Veggies and Fruits. And it’s apparently alright for participants to consume Dairy Foods and Eggs, as well. Think of all the possibilities that holds for creative, new Meatless Friday Meals!
Fish and Seafood: Lenten staples
There are millions of Fish and Seafood recipes available on the Internet. But you probably have your own favourites. Nevertheless, use the online worlds to help you broaden your horizons, and explore the ways other cultures enjoy the ‘Fruits of the Sea’. Virtually every country that has a coast on Salt Water has a traditional fishery and a host of traditional Fish and Seafood dishes in its cultural cookbook. When I want to try a new Fish dish, I choose a culture I want to explore, I type the country’s name in the Google search term field and add, ‘fish and seafood dishes’. You never know what you’re
Some ‘different’ Lenten Friday supper ideas
It doesn’t take much imagination to come up with Meatless Meal ideas for Lenten Fridays. Just think outside the box – or inside the Vegetarian box. There’s a lot more to ‘Fish on Fridays’ than Fish and Chips. (But I’ll go for that any Friday!)
There’s a world of possibilities in the Stuffed Pasta sphere. Italian Lasagne, Tortellini, Manicotti, Stuffed Shells and Ravioli; Polish or Ukrainian Pirogi; Asian Wontons and Dim Sum Dumplings; and tons more! leverage the Internet for specific recipes…
Tex Mex cuisine has tons of Lenten Friday potential. Just think… You can make Veggie versions of almost any Tex Mex food: Enchiladas, Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas or Empanadas, for example. Red or Black Bean Chili (Meatless) is a real Mexican dish you can throw together easily, in a few minutes. Let your imagination be your guide.
Soups and Stews offer a host of Meatless options. Vegetarians and Vegans, and Asian cooks all lean heavily on recipes using Lentils (no connection to Lent!), Potatoes, Cauliflower, Spinach and other Veggies that are highly nutritious and easy to get in Europe and North America. The Prime Minister of India served a primarily Vegetarian feast to visiting U.S. President Donald Trump just last week. And don’t forget Chick Peas (Garbanzo Beans), the star of many Middle Eastern Veggie dishes.
And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Veggie Meat Substitutes
One last thought… The meteoric rise of Vegetarian Meat Substitutes – such as Beyond, Impossible and the other products now being featured in restaurants and beginning to appear in force in supermarket Meat coolers – is a boon to Lenten menu makers. Just substitute the ‘Fake Meat’ product of your choice in any of your favourite recipes to make them Friday-compatible. Aside from the cost of Fake Meat produces, which is still universally, significantly higher than that of their ‘Real Meat’ counterparts, these new foods can really simplify your Lenten cooking chores and help keep the picky types around your dinner table happy.
~ Maggie J.