Lent 2021

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.

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I make torrijas with brioche.

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It is similar, the Dough is enriched with Butter, sometimes Milk as well, Sugar or Honey and Lemon & Orange Zest

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

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Yep.

A lot of people, including some chefs, don’t get the symbolism behind some dishes.

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Fakkes/ lentil soup, from Greek Cooking for the Gods by Eva Zane.

Lentils, onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, oregano, tomato paste, olive oil, black pepper, salt, and red wine vinegar.

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Ttvebas, an Armenian soup for Maundy Thu

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.

Can you tell we like lentil soup at our house?

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I can! LOL.

We don’t cut back on meat too much these days. Mostly fish on Fridays, and no Easter candy before it’s actually Easter. LOL

I like to keep vinegar and lemon juice handy at the table, to add punch as needed. :wink:

I bought my first Calabrian pepper sauce recently, and I’ve been adding that to some dishes, but not to the lentils yet.

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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.

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I avoid fast foods like the plague, save for one sandwich: Culver’s Walleye. Gol dang if that isn’t the best fast food on the market!

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https://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/category/meatless-lenten-dishes/