Lent meal ideas- even if you’re not religious

If you are Christian and celebrate Lent, you know that you’re supposed to give up something– usually it’s junk food or soft drinks or alcohol or shopping or some bad habit- for the 40 days (not counting Sundays!) before Easter. Even if you’re not Christian, it’s a good way to reset yourself into being a little more healthy and it’s a good time of year to do it because it’s still wintery in most places and there’s not much going on to get you off track. You’re also supposed to refrain from eating meat on Fridays (fish and even alligator are allowed, tho, whaaaaat? I don’t like fish or alligator anyway, so I just do vegetarian on Fridays). You’re supposed to try to be more mindful during Lent, and to lay off the snacks, not eat elaborate meals, and allow yourself to be a little hungry. This slight hunger helps you be more mindful and also gets you to relate to the plight of others less fortunate.  Lent is also about alms-giving, so you could donate the money you might save by eating more simply to groups who care for the poor, if you want. It’s also a good time to really get into meatless meals. A lot of people think about going vegetarian, at least some of the time,  but have a hard time really doing it. So, why not try it now?

Here are some things I’ve made so far. I’ll post my versions of them coming up here. If they call for beef or chicken stock, I just sub water if I’m going completely vegetarian. I usually serve these with a simple green salad.

Lentil Soup with Lemon Yogurt Cream

Spinach, Tomatoes, and Chick Peas over Polenta (scroll all the way down the page)

Mushroom and Leek Risotto

Three Bean Chili

And here are some of the things I plan to make soon.

Flatbreads with Goat Cheese, Caramalized Onions, and Basil

Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

Rotini with Beans and Escarole

Mushroom and Barley Soup

 

Do you participate in Lent? What do you like to make?