SEVEN RECIPES FOR SEVEN FASTING DISHES DURING THE WEEK
Orthodox Christians began the Nativity Fast on November 28, which requires not only spiritual dedication but also abstinence from a significant part of our daily diet.
Here are seven recipes for delicious fasting dishes to enjoy throughout the week.
1. MUSHROOM AND POTATO SOUP
Ingredients:
600 g potatoes, 400 g mushrooms, 1 large onion, 1 leek, 1 carrot, vegetable seasoning, salt, pepper, parsley, bay leaf, 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch.
Preparation:
Sauté the chopped onion and leek in water. Add diced potatoes and sliced carrot. Season to taste. Pour in water to cover the vegetables and add the bay leaf. Cook until the vegetables soften, then add sliced mushrooms.
After 30 minutes, remove the bay leaf and blend the soup with an immersion blender. Dissolve the flour in a bit of cold water to avoid lumps, then stir it into the soup. Let it boil for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and garnish with parsley.
2. VEGETABLE RISOTTO
Ingredients:
200 g sweet corn, 200 g rice, 200 g peas, 1 onion, 2 carrots, sesame seeds (optional), oil, salt, pepper, parsley.
Preparation:
Sauté grated onion and carrot in a deep pot, then add the remaining vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, pour in about 1.5 liters of water, and cook until the vegetables are tender. Wash the rice thoroughly and add it to the almost cooked vegetables. Let everything boil for 5 minutes, then cover the pot and remove it from the heat. Add toasted sesame seeds and fresh or dried parsley. After 15 minutes, uncover the pot and stir the risotto. Serve with a seasonal salad.
This dish is also great for taking to work, avoiding fast food options.
3. STUFFED PEPPERS WITH OYSTER MUSHROOMS (WATER-ONLY FAST)
Ingredients:
300 g rice, 300 g oyster mushrooms, 1 leek, salt, pepper, basil, 8 bell peppers, 300 ml tomato sauce, water.
Preparation:
Finely chop the leek and oyster mushrooms, mix them with washed rice, and season with salt and pepper. Fill the peppers with this mixture. For dried peppers, use more than 8.
Arrange the stuffed peppers in a deep pot, pour over tomato sauce and a little water, and cook on the stove for about an hour. Alternatively, cover the pot with foil and bake in the oven for about 90 minutes.
4. FISH
Ingredients:
4 fish (mackerel, hake, or herring—your choice), a bit of oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Preparation:
Clean the fish, season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and arrange in a baking dish. Squeeze lemon juice over the fish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake in a preheated oven at 250°C for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes.
Serve with boiled potatoes, cauliflower, or broccoli.
5. PASTA SALAD WITH TUNA
Ingredients:
1 pack of pasta (ensure it’s fasting-friendly), 2 cans of tuna, 6 pickles, 150 g sweet corn, 150 g fasting mayonnaise, salt, pepper, oregano.
Preparation:
Cook the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and set aside. Cook and drain the sweet corn, then mix it with the pasta. Add pieces of tuna, mayonnaise, and seasonings, and mix well. Optionally, add olives.
6. TOMATO CREAM SOUP (WATER-ONLY FAST)
Ingredients:
500 ml liquid tomato, 300 ml water, 2 carrots, 1 onion, 2 potatoes, salt, pepper, parsley.
Preparation:
Cook the onion, carrots, and potatoes in a bit of water, then blend them with an immersion blender. Add the liquid tomato and let it boil for 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Serve warm with croutons.
7. BAKED BEANS
Ingredients:
500 g white beans, 250 g onion, oil, ground paprika, salt, pepper, bay leaf.
Preparation:
Place the beans in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then discard the water and add fresh water. Add roughly chopped onions and cook until the beans are tender and the skins start to peel.
Prepare a roux with oil, flour, and paprika, then stir it into the beans. Let it simmer for a few minutes, then add a bay leaf and transfer everything to a baking dish. Bake at 250°C until a golden crust forms.
Serve warm with pickled vegetables.
Enjoy these dishes and make your fasting period a flavorful experience!
