During Lent it is forbidden to eat meat, eggs and milk, as well as all other products with ingredients of animal origin. Therefore, on the eve of the beginning of Lent, it is worth thinking about what to cook during this period.
Lent is the longest and strictest period of fasting in the Orthodox tradition, which prepares believers for the celebration of Easter. It is not only a spiritual practice, but also an opportunity to revise your diet, give up heavy food and learn to cook tasty Lenten dishes.
What products are allowed during fasting
Observance of fasting involves limiting the use of products of animal origin. The main attention is paid to vegetables, fruits, legumes and cereals. The list of allowed products includes:
- Vegetables and greens: carrots, beetroot, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, parsley
- Fruits and dried fruits: apples, pears, bananas, sultanas, apricots.
- Legumes and cereals: lentils, beans, peas, rice, buckwheat, millet.
- Nuts and seeds: walnuts, almonds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Vegetable oils: olive oil, sunflower oil, corn oil.
- Drinks: brews, compotes, freshly squeezed juices, water.
Lenten recipes for Lent
1. Fried pies with potatoes
Ingredients:
For the dough for 12 patties:
- 500 G wheat flour
- 50 G sour cream
- 200 ml warm water
- 15 G compressed yeast
- 1 Tsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. salt
- 50 Ml oil for dough
- 50 Ml oil for frying
For stuffing
- 500 G potatoes (peeled)
- 2 Tablespoons frying oil
- 1 Onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method of preparation:
1. For stuffing: 500 g of peeled potatoes cut into cubes, pour water and boil until soft (about 25-30 minutes from the moment of boiling). While the potatoes are boiling, cut the onion into small cubes and fry in a frying pan with 2 tbsp of oil until golden.
2.Drain the remaining water from the boiled potatoes and mash them thoroughly. Add the fried onions, salt and pepper. To taste. Stir and let the filling cool to room temperature.
3. For the dough: in a deep bowl, add 15 g of compressed yeast, 1 tsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 50 g sour cream and 200 ml warm water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with a whisk.
4. Gradually pour in 500 g of flour and 50 ml of oil. Knead into a soft, homogeneous dough that does not stick to your hands. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. After an hour, the dough should have roughly doubled in volume. Turn it out onto a work surface and divide into 12 equal portions (about 80-90g each). Form a ball from each piece of dough.
6. Then roll each ball into a circle. Place a portion of potato filling in the centre of the circle. Pinch the edges tightly and form a neat pie.
7. Heat a frying pan well with oil. Place the patties seam side down. And fry on moderate heat on both sides until browned. Serve the patties hot.
2. Lenten chebureks with mushrooms
Ingredients:
- Water-130 ml.
- Salt-0. 5 ч. Л.
- Sunflower oil-4 tbsp. spoons.
- Flour-250 g.
- Mushrooms-300 g.
- Onion-1 pc.
- Salt, pepper to taste.
Method of preparation:
1. Sift the flour into the table. Add salt and oil. Then boil water and carefully (so as not to burn yourself) stir the boiling water into the flour.
2. Knead the dough first with a spoon and then with your hands. Roll into a large ball and leave to rest for 30 minutes.
3. Finely chop the mushrooms and onions and fry in a pan with oil until cooked through. Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and roll each into a thin circle.
4.Place the mushroom filling on half of the circle, fold the chebureks in half and seal the edges. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side in a frying pan with oil, or bake for 10 minutes at 180° in the oven.
3. Dried mushroom soup
Ingredients:
- 50 G dried mushrooms
- 1.5-2 L water or stock
- 1 Large onion
- 1 Large carrot
- 5-6 Potatoes
- 2 Tablespoons of oil
- Salt to taste
- 2 Laurel leaves
- 2-3 Peas of black and oregano pepper
- 2 Garlic cloves (optional)
- Herbs (optional)
Method of preparation:
1. rinse thoroughly 50 g of dried mushrooms, put them in a pot, pour about 1.5 litres of water, bring to a boil and cook for 30 min.
2. Peel the vegetables, dice the onion, cut the carrots into cubes, and then cook for 30 min.