The one who decided to fast, willy-nilly, asks, “What should I eat during fasting?”. Especially if this person is a woman and has husband and children that must be fed three times a day.

The idea is simple. In order not to be distracted by digestion problems, as well as thoughts of greasy and delicious food we want so often, we should make vegetable menu varied. Avoiding monotony and boredom in a lean diet is no more difficult than usual - we just need some imagination.

However, before we share recipes for meatless dishes, note the fact: in recent years the possibility of using seafood during fast has been discussed actively. Some priests believe they are a delicacy, therefore, should not be used during Lent. Others (most of them) believe there is no official ban, and the purpose of eating seafood during fast is not gluttony, but concern about health. Thirds prudently sent fasting to their spiritual father, they say, he shall give permission.

In any case, the following is definite: seafood is tasty, useful, makes a variety of lean menu and does not spoil figure, especially compared with pasta.

Lean diet. Salads
Everything is more or less clear here. Cucumbers, tomatoes, radish, pepper, lettuce, celery, carrot, beet, potato, beans, corn, avocado, mushrooms and same seafood… Almost any combination of these ingredients can be a masterpiece salad, which can be put even on holiday table.

The main problem of vegetable salads - dressing. Mayonnaise and sour cream are banned, oil is not suitable to all and not always allowed … But there is a way out. Excellent filling is obtained from a mixture of lemon juice with soy sauce, soy sauce with balsamic vinegar, or other tasty vinegar. Some add in filling some jam or fresh berries (such as cranberry).

Mushroom salad with cucumbers

We will needed canned mushrooms (or fresh), fresh cucumbers, dill, dressing (ideally balsamic vinegar with a spoonful of olive oil). Cucumbers and mushrooms should be of equal quantity. Cut cucumbers lengthwise and cut each half into thin slices, mushrooms, too, lengthwise, in plates. Dill is always good in this salad.

Bean salad with croutons

One can of red or white beans requires two bags of salted rye crackers (or the same number of home-made) and a bunch of dill.

Pour crackers into a bowl, add beans (do not drain liquid, it must soak croutons), crumble dill on top. After 10-15 minutes, stir and serve. Ironically, this primitive recipe turns out amazingly delicious.

In principle, this salad does not need seasoning, however in non-fast version it is often filled with mayonnaise or sour cream, and in lean - with soy sauce and olive oil.

Also pay close attention to raw potatoes salad recipes.

Lean diet. Appetizers

Appetizers occupy a special place in lenten menu. Pickles are a source of vitamins and bright flavors, sauces - interspersed with the main dish, and pies help solving the problem of snacks and sandwiches during ban for sausage and cheese.

Onion appetizer

You will need 1 kg onions, a cup of vegetable oil, two teaspoons sugar, the same quantity of ground pepper, half-spoon red pepper and a little soy sauce.

Heat oil in a pan with pepper, cut onion into half rings, sprinkle with sugar and pour with hot oil. Add soy sauce and put in the refrigerator for the night. In the morning you will have an amazing vitamin supplement for hot meals or a self-starter.

Bean paste ( “lazy lobio”)

One can red beans requires one onion, one carrot, 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil, a handful of walnuts, a bunch of favorite herbs and garlic. Fry carrot and onion in vegetable oil, then pass all components through a meat grinder, and then whipp with a mixer.

The taste of the pie turns very bright, somewhat pungent. If you find it is too much - reduce the number of nuts. By the way, nuts can be never put or replaced by cedar.

Hot dishes

The most popular lean product - potato. Dishes from it are substantial, but often dull and deflating. Meanwhile, potato can be cooked in a bright, memorable way and your home will look back and knead it with pleasure not only during fast.

Potato baked with mustard

Wash 1 kg raw unpolished potatoes and cut into large wedges. Put in a saucepan, add water, bring to a boil, cook for two minutes, then pour the water. Cool potatoes. Separately, mix Dijon (mild with pips) mustard (6-7 tablespoons) with a pinch of rosemary, a couple tablespoons olive oil and a clove of crushed garlic. Fill potato slices with the mixture, mix carefully, season with salt and place in preheated oven. Bake until golden brown crust.

Potato cake

For the dough you will require 1.5 kg potatoes, 1.5 teaspoons starch, salt and pepper to taste. Peel and grate potatoes, wash and pour with boiling water for five minutes.

For filling, take 05 kg mushrooms (fresh, salted, pickled - to your taste) and 0,5 kg onions. Cut and stew onions for 20-30 minutes in vegetable oil on low heat - without frying! Mince mushrooms and stew with onions until the liquid evaporates.

Now press potatoes, add starch in it and spread in layers with mushrooms on parchment, lightly oiled. You should receive three layers of potato chips and two layers of mushroom filling. On top the form is covered with foil and put in the oven for 1-1,5 hours. Then remove the cake from the mold, decorate with greenery and serve.

This dish also has a non-fast variation, when potato chips are mixed with 2-3 eggs, and the top layer of potatoes is smeared with butter or decorated with grated cheese after cooking.

There is one very simple and tasty dish, which is considered a garnish, but can become both main dish, and snack on lean table.

Baked zucchini with mushrooms

Take 0.5 kg oyster mushrooms (champignons also fit) and one small zucchini and salt. Chop mushrooms and bake (about 20 minutes in a preheated oven), then add slices of zucchini, salt, stir and leave in oven for 40-60 minutes. Before serving sprinkle with herbs and black pepper. The resulting dish can be served both cold and hot, and if you pre-pour liquid and mince ready dish, then you will get squash-mushroom caviar. In this case, while cooking, you can add a little vinegar or tomato paste, or put bright spices to give caviar piquancy.

Bon Appetit!