www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Food - Recipes Recipes for Lent

I don't know...I guess I'm old fashion or something, but my idea of Lenten fare is still the Monastery in Jordanville...where the Russian Lenten diet is: boiled potatoes and Russian black bread. I went to a Greek monastery once and had completely Lenten food...but it was somehow 'too tasty' for me...and I enjoyed it too much. It's probably another one of those 'Western mindsets' that just won't go away? But til it does (if it EVER does) I'll stick to peanut butter...and simple fare.

Thanks for the ideas though...I'm dream about them. Hehehe

In Christ,
Your weak brother,
+Fr. Gregory

�And He said to them, �Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?� (Thus He declared all foods clean.)� (Mark 7:18-19)


There was a man who ate a lot and was still hungry, and another who ate little and was satisfied. The one who ate a lot and was still
hungry received a greater reward than he who ate little and was satisfied.

Apophthegmata Patrum

With love in Christ,
+Fr. Gregory

Dear Pani Rose,

If I remember correctly what we call ARUGULA greens here, are called ROCKET in Europe.

Hope this helps!

Love in Christ,
Alice

Dear Father Gregory,

The problem with the Lenten meal you have described is that there is no source of protein in it. It is all carbohydrate!

That is why the Greeks and those from the Middle East like Lebanon, do lots of things with legumes--a very nutritional and balanced source of protein.

In Christ,
Alice

Alice, Hehehe---I know...not very healthy huh? I can't eat beanies or anything that is considered too much 'roughage' though...for medical reasons...so I do some canned tuna and some dairy products. I think we Orthodox (personally) take too much 'pride' in our fasting sometimes...and that would seem to defeat the whole purpose? It's kind'a like what one Father said about standing for prayer: Better to sit and think about God---than to stand and think about your legs ! So I try and have the 'spirit' of the fast and do my best...without getting too caught up in weighing and measuring all the exact amounts of things. And when all else fails, I resort to peanutbutter!

In His great love for us all,
+Fr. Gregory

Dear Father Gregory,

I fully agree with you about the fast...it is really the spirit --not the law that counts.

I really do love that quote, and thanks to YOU, I remember that it was St. Philaret of Moscow who said that.

I do love peanut butter any time of the year. It is very healthy, and I feel that it gives one just the right balance of protein and fat..Actually, I will admit that I have a teaspoon of it with strawberry preserves every morning on half a slice of really good toasted bread like this sprouted whole grain (a specialty brand--available at Food Emporium and A&P, if you have one near you)for breakfast.

Personally, I love Smucker's Brand-- it's all natural and with just the right hint of salt added. You have to mix it before you use it.

In Christ,
Alice

...now I am off to go get my snow boots on (we really got alot of it last night, didn't we?) to do some errands in town on this President's day.

I do not remember the why and the wherefores on this, but my alternative doctor says the best food you can eat..for your stomach and whatever else is Swiss Cheese and Rye bread slightly grilled. Actually I eat mine cold with mayo, but it is wonderful just lightly toasted on the grill. Very staisfying.

I'm a S&S guy, sardines(tomato/mustard) & saltines, simple & quick.

james

I am surviving Lent with dark chocolate.

I just tried this and it is quite good and easy to make. It requires only about 15 minutes to whip up.

Indonesian Curried Bean Stew

2 cups quick-cooking (10 minute) brown rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion (for about 1 cup chopped)
1 large bell pepper (for about 1 1/2 cups chopped)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 (15-ounce) can light red kidney beans
1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can black beans
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 cup of chopped, fresh cilantro leaves, optional

Cook the rice according to the package direction.

While the rice cooks, begin heating the oil over medium heat in an extra-deep 12-inch nonstick skillet. Peel and coarsely chop the onion, adding it to the skillet as you chop. Cook, stirring from time to time, while you rinse and seed the bell pepper., and cut it into bite-size pieces. Add them to the skillet. Add the garlic. Cook 1 minute while stirring frequently.

Add the kidney beans with their juices to the skillet. Add the tomatoes with their juices, and break up any large tomato pieces with a spoon. Stir well, and continue to cook over medium heat. Pour the black beans and chickpeas into a colander, rinse them under tap water and set aside to drain.

Add the black beans and chickpeas, peanut butter, curry powder, cumin and ginger to the skillet. Stir thoroughly (but gently so as not to break up the beans). Make sure the peanut butter is well-blended. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, until the rice is done. Meanwhile, mince the cilantro (if using), and set it aside. Just before serving, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Serve the stew over hot, steamed rice. Serves 4 as a main dish or 6 as a side dish.

I'd like to make a basket to be blessed on Easter but I don't have a recipe for the bread can anyone help me with that?

can't help with that - but I do have a question for you Sally -- how's Scott ?

this site should help you with your basket
http://www.brama.com/art/easter.html

I have never used lemon or orange, never used brandy either in my Pascha but the rest is good.

Thanks for your help with the Easter basket. That site was great.

my fav. recipe for the lent is not thinking about food

hope that helps