Lent is the forty days before Easter in which Christians are called to prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial. This final aspect, self-denial, is often practiced in the form of fasting and abstinence from certain foods. Refraining from eating red meat, especially on Fridays, is the most common Lenten dietary sacrifice.
The following meal ideas and recipes will help people abstaining from meat find Lenten meal solutions they can enjoy and prepare in a short amount of time. The recipes include Maple Oatmeal & Milk for breakfast, Tuna Macaroni Salad for lunch,and Vegetable Quiche and Super Easy Vegetable Cream Soup for dinner.
Easy Lenten Menu
Breakfast
Hot Cereal and Cider: Maple Oatmeal & Milk served with Quick Cran-Apple Cider
Maple Oatmeal & Milk
Ingredients for 1 serving*:
- ¼ c rolled oats
- ½ c water
- 1 tsp. maple syrup
- ¼ milk
Directions:
- Combine rolled oats and water in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 1 minute.
- Microwave the milk in a separate cup or bowl for 30 – 60 seconds.
- Stir the milk and maple syrup into the cooked oatmeal.
* Multiply as needed. Add 45 – 60 seconds of cooking time per additional serving.
Quick Cran-Apple Cider
Ingredients for 1 serving:
- 1/3 c apple juice
- 1/3 c cranberry juice
- Cinnamon to taste
Directions:
- Measure and combine the juice in a mug or cup.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and stir.
- Microwave for 90 seconds.
Morning Snack:
Orange segments dipped in vanilla yogurt
Lunch:
Tuna Macaroni Salad for Two or Tri-colour Potato Salad
Ingredients for Tuna Macaroni Salad for Two:
- 2 c cooked macaroni, cooled
- ½ c cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
- 4 radishes, sliced
- 1 large green onion, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 - 170g light flaked tuna
- 2 Tbsp Miracle Whip
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
Directions:
- Combine the first 6 ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Beat the Miracle Whip and vinegar together with a fork. Pour over salad and toss.
Afternoon Snack:
Half a bagel with cream cheese
Dinner:
Vegetable Quiche and Super Easy Vegetable Cream Soup
Vegetable Quiche
Ingredients:
- 1 prepared deep-dish piecrust
- 1 c mixed vegetables, chopped into bite-size pieces
- ½ c onion, chopped
- Dijon mustard according to taste
- fresh ground pepper according to taste
- 2 eggs
- 1 c milk
- 1 c grated sharp cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Place the piecrust on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 F for 5 minutes. Poke the crust with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake another 10 minutes. Spread Dijon mustard over the baked crust.
- Beat eggs together in a mixing bowl. Add milk, vegetables and cheese. Pour into piecrust. Top with fresh ground pepper.
- Bake at 375 F for 45-60 minutes or until knife inserted in the middle comes out dry.
Super Easy Vegetable Cream Soup for 4
Ingredients:
- 1 – 500 ml carton of Knorr Autumn Vegetable soup
- 1 - 10 oz. can of cream of celery soup
- 10 oz. milk
Directions:
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine ingredients.
- Cover and microwave three minutes. Stir and heat 3 more minutes.
Conclusion
From breakfast through dinner, nutritional requirements can be met by people making Lenten dietary sacrifices. The above meal plan and recipes for Maple Oatmeal & Milk, Tuna Macaroni Salad, Vegetable Quiche and Super Easy Vegetable Cream Soup will help Lenten abstainers from meat find quick and healthy meal ideas.
Melissa Morelli Lacroix - I have degrees in writing from Lancaster University and the University of Alberta as well as a certificate in Translation Studies from the ...
