Lenten dishes made from buckwheat

Buckwheat pilaf... Sounds unusual, but the idea of combining two culinary traditions — Eastern and Russian — is quite interesting. Traditionally, rice is used for pilaf, possessing a neutral flavor and thus excellently absorbing other, stronger flavors (meat, carrots, spices). But if you replace this grain with the more distinctive buckwheat, you get a very original dish that will bring special gastronomic pleasure to all its fans. This pilaf is prepared using the classic technique, with the difference that we slightly diversified the flavor with dried porcini mushrooms, which pair perfectly with both the "black grain" and the meat.

Buckwheat pilaf

A rural, simple, and quick dish for a Lenten table! Buckwheat with potatoes is a delicious double side dish. Hearty, aromatic, and healthy! If using boiled potatoes, the cooking time will be significantly reduced. Perfect as a main course for vegetarians and those observing Lent.

Buckwheat with potatoes

Lenten cabbage rolls with rice are prepared according to the same principle as traditional ones: the filling is wrapped in cabbage leaves. Only, of course, you won’t find meat among the ingredients, and there’s no cream or sour cream in the sauce. At the same time, the taste of cabbage rolls prepared according to our recipe is very expressive and rich, thanks to the vegetables stuffed with rice. The sauce in which cabbage rolls are stewed deserves special attention: it contains Georgian satsebeli and a little adjika. It turns out very original, bright, piquant!

Vegetarian cabbage rolls with rice

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern fast food made from chickpeas or beans, fresh herbs, and spices. It is believed that the recipe for this dish was invented in Egypt by Coptic Christians, who were looking for a meat substitute during long fasting periods. Legumes, in this case, could be a true salvation: they are rich in protein and the "slow" carbohydrates that provide a lasting feeling of satiety. In recent decades, falafel has also become popular in Russia, especially with the spread of veganism and the principles of healthy eating. So if you want to learn how to cook this dish at home, take our recipe and try it out!

Falafel

During Orthodox fasts, there are days when fish is allowed. On such days, you can prepare lean fish patties. According to the recipe, the dish doesn't include eggs, but no one will be disappointed because semolina ensures the patties are fluffy; it swells up and binds the ingredients perfectly. What kind of fish should be used in the recipe? We suggest considering the most budget-friendly option, like pollock: its fillet has a firm texture that is perfect for patties. And make sure to coat the patties in breadcrumbs before frying, as they will provide a golden, crispy crust that is both beautiful and appetizing.

Lean fish patties

Lenten cabbage rolls with buckwheat occupy one of the top spots in the rating of dishes for Orthodox fasting. You could say that this is a light version of the usual cabbage rolls, but there are some nuances in the preparation. The dish includes buckwheat, which contains vegetable protein, and vegetables rich in various vitamins, microelements, and fiber. If you use young cabbage and fresh herbs, the vitamin content will be doubled! The cabbage rolls turn out very tasty and filling, even without meat. This kind of food is beneficial not only for those who observe the fast. It is also suitable for vegetarians, diabetics, and those who want to lose weight after a heavy winter diet. For the body, this food is pure benefit. Study the recipe and cook with pleasure!

Vegetarian cabbage rolls with buckwheat

It would seem impossible to make vegan (also known as Lenten) cheese curds, given that the main ingredient is of animal origin. Well, we will replace the cow's milk curd with soy curd, that is, tofu. The tastiest cheese curds are made from so-called "silken" tofu, the softest and most delicate kind. And for the chocolate, we'll use dark chocolate, which contains no milk or other animal products.

Lean glazed tofu bars

Lenten dumplings with cherries will appeal to both those who have temporarily given up animal products and those who generally do not consume them. Some will probably say that preparing this dish with your own hands is too long and complicated. Like, go and buy dumplings with cherries in the store: it’s quite possible to find good ones, if you have the desire. However, we know for sure that, firstly, homemade ones definitely taste better, and secondly, preparing them at home is not at all difficult. The dough is simple, the filling is ready in 5 minutes! We attach a proven recipe for lean dumplings with cherries!

Vegan dumplings with cherries

Lenten cabbage rolls with buckwheat and mushrooms are a hearty and very tasty dish that will definitely appeal to vegetarians, those fasting, and even meat lovers. To make the filling even more aromatic, you can add mushrooms to it. These can be champignons, king oyster mushrooms, portobello, or dried or frozen forest mushrooms. They all go perfectly with buckwheat and cabbage. And don't forget the spices — smoked paprika, cumin, dried thyme, freshly ground black pepper. Sometimes finely chopped prunes are also added to the buckwheat cabbage rolls, giving the dish a bright fruity note.

Vegan stuffed cabbage rolls with buckwheat and mushrooms

Our Lenten Solyanka is not a soup at all, but an excellent second dish or an ideal side dish for chicken or meat. The dish is prepared simply, quickly, from available ingredients. One of the main ingredients of this hodgepodge is champignons. The fresher and stronger they are, the better the texture of the dish. It also contains canned pureed tomatoes, but in the summer they can be replaced with finely chopped good ground tomatoes, with or without skin. With them, the taste of Lenten hodgepodge will become even more rich and vibrant.