Lenten Cookbook

Once again, Catholics worldwide are faced with the dilemma of what to eat on Fridays. For those that try to observe Catholic traditions fully and eat meatless Fridays year around this is old hat. For those adhering only to Lenten rules and have a disdain for fish, the sacrifice may be more complex in the weeks ahead.

In lieu of thinking fish on the menu, think MEATLESS. Opportunities abound.

-Breakfast any time of day: Come on, admit it. Occasionally you get the craving (or lazy mode) and have breakfast for lunch or dinner. Why not do it for a Lenten meal? Just remember....no bacon, no sausage. Options are plentiful. Try Omelettes or frittatas with cheese, onion, mushrooms, peppers, and/or spinach. Waffles, oatmeal and yogurt can be topped with brown sugar, nuts, fruits, or syrups. Plain pancakes can be fancied up with blueberry, cherry, banana, pumpkin or chocolate chip toppings or mix-ins.

-Think ethnic foods: Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Thai. Most Mexican restaurants offer a wide variety of meatless options including veggie or cheese/onion enchiladas, rice and bean burritos, meatless nachos, and various salsa/cheese and chip options. Better yet....make your own at home and get creative as you save money. Experiment with recipes that combine aspects of Mexican cooking....such as simple one dish tamales: a Mexican chili corn pie, topped with a cornmeal crust. Italian favorites include meatless lasagna (with or without vegetable add-ins), cheese ravioli and spaghetti. Pretend you are carbo loading before a marathon! And who doesn't love veggie or cheese pizza? Falafel pitas (middle eastern balls/patties made of chick-peas and spices) are also quite tasty.

-Pasta and rice....how nice. Take a simple mac and cheese recipe and switch it up a little. Trust me, Rachel Ray has ideas...google her. Think of meatless pasta sauces such as broccoli cheese, beer cheese, alfredo, simple marina. Make it healthy by adding a cup of your favorite veggies. Rice can be 'spiced' up with gumbo seasonings and beans....just leave out the meat.

-It's winter...it's soup weather. Pull out the crock pot and fill it up. Bean, veggie, minestrone and tomato soups are all easy to make. If you're feeling adventuresome do some web searches for ethnic vegetarian soups! Even easier is going to the grocery store and finding something pre-made in the can/cartoon. Just read the label so you don't select something with a chicken or beef stock. And a favorite stand-by is chili. Tomatoes, beans, onion and spices to your taste. GREAT on baked spuds.

-Potatoes.....Make them baked or fried. Eat them plain or with sour cream, cheese, onions or topped with meatless chili.

-Grilled cheese.....simple or with a twist. Two pieces of bread, butter and cheese....it doesn't get much easier than that. For more options, try different cheeses or sprinkle the bread with garlic powder and black pepper as it fries in the pan. Cheese or peanut butter and crackers are also an option......

-Tuna....cheap eating! Some people that don't like fish can tolerate tuna. Mix it in to one of those cheapie boxes of mac and cheese and you have a mini casserole for less than a buck! (Yes, I got the mac and cheese for .33 and the tuna for .48---it's possible).

-Web Search for recipes. " Mr. Food" is a favorite and he uses common ingredients you probably have at home.

In closing...it's really easy to go meatless for Lent. Although I offer a wide variety of options the goal of lent is NOT to feast! It's a time of penance. Jesus died in agony on the Cross for us. "Suffering" by eating a fish stick is a SMALL way of showing some respect and appreciation. Better yet, take the money saved from cutting beef, pork, chicken from your diet and donate it to a shelter providing food for the homeless. Whatever you do for the least of your brothers.....you truly do for Jesus. Show Him your love.....