This is a list of some of our favorite go-to recipes for lent. We know how hard it can be to get dinner on the table for yourself, or your family, and we know that an added restriction can sometimes feel impossible. However it doesn’t have to be. This list of recipes for lent is just what you need to help keep those Fridays easy and delicious.
What is Lent
Lent is a time of sacrifice, fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter. In memory of Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, many Christians abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent. Some Catholics even choose to give up meat during Holy Week. This is why we thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of our favorite dishes ranging from vegetarian to seafood. Then you could pick something off the list, and not have to worry about finding something to make. We even included a list of dishes that with a simple swap or omission become Lent friendly.
Abstaining from Meat:
The abstinence of meat is one of the church’s oldest traditions. When we say “meat” we don’t just mean red meat. Abstaining from meat during Lent includes beef, chicken, lamb, veal or pork. Decadent dishes are saved for the perfect Easter meal and taste even more special after all the sacrifice you’ve made during Lent.
During those 40 days, we won’t be doing extravagant seafood dishes either like Cuban Seafood Paella, as lobster and stone claws don’t exactly scream simplicity and sacrifice.
Lent and the Cuban Kitchen:
It is well established, that Cubans love their meat. Traditionally, Cuban Abuelas would go to the butcher and get “La Bola” that would last all week long. “La Bola”, is a part of the cow that has Bistec de Palomilla , meat to ground for Picadillo and meat to stew for Cuban Carne Con Papas . Abuelas would round out the week with Cuban Pork Chops and Pollo a la Plancha . Typically, there was not a vegetable in sight (besides aguacate). So abstaining from meat for Cubans isn’t easy. Jarred tuna, canned calamari and fish escabeche (fish cooked in vinegar) were popular Lenten dishes growing up. Let’s just say most kids opted for a bowl or rice and Black Beans or simple fried eggs over White Rice .
While a sacrifice should be felt during the pensive and prayerful days of Lent you can still eat something delicious. Abstaining is intended to be a mental, emotional and physical challenge. This doesn’t mean it should be challenging to figure out what you will make for dinner. Here is a list of some of our favorite Lenten Meals:
Recipes for Lent: Humble and Healthy:
As we said above, the point of lent is to keep things simple and humble. Soup is the quintessential simple and humble food, and it can feel so comforting. We think you should make one of these soups, and serve it with a piece of bread or a gooey grilled cheese. These soups are appropriate for a modest meal, easy to make and filling.
Instant Pot Cauliflower Turmeric Soup
Seafood Recipes for Lent:
When you think of lent, fish is one of the first things that comes to mind. Naturally, fish is the perfect substitute for meat during this time, as it has plenty of protein. These recipes are our go-to fish recipes. As we mentioned before, the point of abstaining on Friday should feel like a sacrifice so these are very straightforward seafood dishes.
Mariquita Crusted Oven Baked Fish
Seafood Coconut Stew with Aji Amarillo
Sheet Pan: White Fish & Vegetables
Vegetarian Recipes for Lent:
If you lean more vegetarian, than foregoing meat on Friday is probably not a problem for you. However, even if you are not vegetarian, these dishes can always hit the spot. While these dishes maintain the rules of abstinence they have a lot of flavor. They are perfect for anytime you want or need to cut meat from your diet.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Tomatillo
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto
Recipes for Lent that can be Adapted to be Meatless:
We love the idea of taking something that usually has meat and substituting it or completely omitting it.
Gumbo: you can replace the chicken with crab and omit the sausage for a seafood only, as of course the shrimp is still a perfect addition.
Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian Fried Rice): this recipe uses tender pieces of meat but you can replace it with more veggies or shrimp instead, and it’s the perfect Friday meal.
Enfrijoladas: are filled with shredded chicken but you can replace that with cooked peppers, beans or mushrooms.
Zoodles Recipe : instead of topping it with picadillo, serve them plain, with wilted spinach, or even Shrimp al Ajillo.
Shrimp Skewers: this recipe calls for beef and shrimp but just use shrimp and more veggies to keep it meat free.
We hope this helps you keep it easy and stress free. Remember we don’t have to be perfect, as long as we are trying our best. The kitchen is not a place to stress, it is a place to help you feed your families so that you can all do what you love to do with full hearts and tummies.
