I’m thinking about doing a full meat-free and poultry-free Lent this year. I used to do it every year. I think the last time I did it for the full 40 days was in 2007.
Anyone else doing Lent?
I’ll probably make Calamari with rice for Ash Wednesday.
It makes me laugh that Leah Chase’s Gumbo z’herbes has so much meat. The recipes I came across when I was first learning about this type of gumbo was that it was meatless for lent
This is my go-to way of making lentil soup too. Though being me, I need to add jarred red pepper paste or Aleppo pepper because I crave that flavor component.
Minus the broth, I also like lentils prepared this way as a side with roast chicken (that version might not be Lenten enough because of the meat).
You might remember that I like to be extra with the soup garnishes: a splash of balsamic or a squeeze of lemon at the table. We’ll also add chopped fresh parsley and maybe a dab of Greek yogurt or labne if you want. ETA: A drizzle of olive oil atop your bowl at the table does not go amiss.
I’ll bet that Calabrian pepper sauce would be just delicious with the lentils.
And I forgot to add (now corrected) that sometimes we add a little olive oil to our soup at the table. I didn’t add that sometimes I pop in a bunch of frozen or fresh spinach as well because then it might not be considered the same soup anymore.
That lentil soup is such a great canvas for flavoring the way you like it.