Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Nativity fast

Having started the Nativity fast, I've had a number of calls for recipes for fasting dishes that I have served here in the monastery. I thought I would post some of them.

Pasta with Lentils

1 lg onion diced
4 ribs celery diced
4 cloves garlic minced
3 Tbs oil
1/2 lb lentils
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 bay leaves
crushed red pepper flakes to taste OR 2 tbs whole black peppercorns
salt to taste
1 lb. Spaghetti cooked

Heat oil in large saucepan. add veges and garlic and saute til they start to soften. Add lentils and just barley cover with water. Bring to a boil then allow to simmer for about 5 min. Add tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer for another 30 min. or until the lentils are tender. Toss with the hot cooked spaghetti.
(On days when olive oil is permitted I will add about 1 cup or so when I mix the sauce with the spaghetti).
(If you use the whole peppercorns they will soften up when they cook in the sauce, they add a nice bite and an interesting taste sensation)


I made the next dish for our Sunday Potluck lunch last week, it was a big hit.


White beans with Pumpkin

1 lb small white beans
3 carrots pealed and diced
6 ribs celery diced
1 lg onion diced
1 whole jalapeno stem removed sliced in rings leave the seed in
1 1/2 lbs uncooked pumpkin cut up in 1 in cubes (I used buternut squash)
1 1/2 tsp whole dried thyme
1 tsp celery seed
2 vegetarian bullion cubes
salt & pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a large crock pot. Fill pot with water to cover. Set to low setting and cook for about 12 hours until the beans are tender.

I served this over rice.

4 comments:

Jessica Archuleta said...

Thanks for the lentil recipe, I love when you make this!

Do you have a traditional fast friendly desert reicpe for Saint Nicholas' feast day? Something that kids would like?

Thanks!
Jessica

Catherine Alexander said...

We did vegan cookies shaped like a bishop's mitre with vegan icing, candy canes (the bishop's staff), vegan chocolate coins, orange sorbet, and fresh fruit and nuts for St. Nicholas' feast day this year. It went over quite well.

Jessica Archuleta said...

Thanks Catherine.

Would you mind giving the recipes for the vegan items you mentioned?

I was trying to think of a cookie but didn't see how to make cookies vegan.

Great ideas!

Jessica

Catherine Alexander said...

Sure, Jessica! I got Jen's recipe from her and posted it here: http://veggiesforomnivores.blogspot.com/

Cookies are one of the easier things to make vegan. If you do a google search for vegan cookies, you'll find enough to make your eyes swim (and your mouth water)! :D