18 Almost No Time, No work Orthodox Lenten meals (Kid Friendly)

Creating a menu for EVERY DAY of a Lenten Season can be quite a challenge - even for one meal a day. But, there are some days when families like more than one meal a day (Imagine!).

Every family needs a list of meals that are quick and easy to serve with little notice - even families that faithfully menu plan. For omnivores, this list often includes things like burgers, eggs, hot dogs,  chicken nuggets, or boxed mac n cheese. 

This is the vegan version!

I'm putting in links to specific brands that I find tasty, and I believe are vegan. No affiliate links, just stuff I like using.

Here are those easy menus that I like to prepare when time and energy for cooking are limited. They're easy meals that can be prepared with very little time or effort, and the family likes them!

 

Also - scroll to the bottom of the page for more Lenten Menus!

 

Pasta with sauce (use homemade or jarred sauce, as you prefer)

 

White Beans

 

 Black-Eyed Peas

 Boca burgers with microwaved baked potatoes

 

 

 Meatless Crispy Tenders (or other Vegan Chicken Nuggets) with Baked Fries (from the freezer section of the grocery)

 

 

 Confetti Spaghetti

 

Mexican layer Dip with Tortillas & Chips

 

 

 Claire’s Delight over Rice

 

 

Hummus with Veggies, Chips or Bagels and Grapes (storebought or homemade hummus)

Lightlife Smart Dogs with Baked Chips & Vegetarian Baked Beans

 

Ramen Noodles (Soy Sauce Flavor by Maruchan) with Veggies added (we like Broccoli in ours)

 

BLT made with Lightlife Smart Bacon

 

 

Vacation Soup

 

Lazy Day LoMein

 

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

 

White Bean Salad

 

Black Bean & Corn Salad with Tortilla Chips

Club Sandwich made with Tofurky Deli Slices, Daiya American Cheese, Lightlife Smart Bacon, Lettuce (or cucumber slices), Tomato, and Vegan Mayo on Toast. (to me the trick of enjoying these "fake" foods on a sandwich is to use a small quantity of each - one slice Tofurkey, one slice "cheese" etc - and let the flavors blend)

For more Lenten Menus, check these posts:

Lenten Potluck Ideas

 
Menu for the First Week of Orthodox Christian Lent

 
Lenten Menu -A Meal for Every Day of Great Lent 

 
A Month of Gluten Free Vegan Meals with Recipe Links

9 Dump Dinners (Vegan & Gluten Free)  

 
40 Day Lenten Menu for People Who Hate to Cook

 
Lenten & Omnivore's Week's Menu

 
Lenten & Vegan Church Coffee Hour Plan

 
Orthodox Lenten Menu 2021, with Less Time in the Kitchen

 

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14 Day Lenten Menu (Vegan)

For Orthodox Christians, the 6 weeks before Christmas are are Lenten Season. This time can be called the Christmas Fast, or Advent. For the first four weeks, Fish is permitted most days. Then, during the last two weeks before Christmas, the fast becomes a little more rigorous.

Here is a two week menu for Lent. For Orthodox Christians (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Antiochian Orthodox, etc), Lent generally means abstaining from Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dairy & Eggs.

Here is a menu of dinner meals that are Lent-Friendly.

During Lent, we offer a variety of other dishes on the table according to availability, such as:

Fresh Homemade Bread,

 Foccacia,

 Hummus,

Salad,

Crackers, Olives, Capers, Crudites, and/or Stuffed Grape Leaves (from a can). 


And, of course, Fruit for dessert (and sometimes fancier things : )



Greek Style Black-Eyed Peas

Peas & Artichokes Yachni

Veggie Burgers (or purchased) & Oven Fries

Claire's Southern Delight over Rice

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Indian Spiced Black-Eyed Peas over Rice

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup

Lazy Lo Mein

Calzone Casserole

Revythia (Greek Chickpea Stew)

Cyprus Bulgur Pilaf

Gigantes (Greek Giant Beans)

Black Bean Soup with Rice, Tomatoes, and Corn Chips

Fasolia Yachni

Dump Dinner - Leg of Lamb

Leg of Lamb Dump Dinner - Ready to Serve

Leg of Lamb is the traditional feasting food for Greeks at both Christmas and Pascha. 

Although I am vegetarian for decades now, and have never tried this dish, I have made it many times, and friends rave about it (even those who are not given to flattery ; ) 

The best thing about this dish (besides its flavor) is that it is a dump dinner! It can be put in its marinade, then put in the freezer any time that is convenient. A day or two before preparing, thaw it in the fridge. Then, on the day of the great feast, put it in the Slow Cooker or Crock Pot 7 to 8 hours before serving time.

This dish is ideal for great feasts, because it allows the cook to attend the feast day services and not miss a minute because of cooking responsibilities! YAY! Just come home from Church & serve : )

It also allows the preparation of meat to be a hands-off part of meal preparation, allowing you to focus your energies on other dishes when preparing for guests.

I hope you enjoy it!

Leg of Lamb
for semi-boneless leg, or boneless leg, usually about 5 or 6 pounds - size flexible
For Crock Pot OR to be baked in Reynolds Oven bag in oven:

Mix Marinade:
2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon wine (red, dry)
¼ olive oil
1 T minced fresh rosemary (or about 1/2 T dry)
1 T dry oregano
¼ tsp salt
Pepper
1 T fresh minced garlic
Pour in ziploc bag, (or, if cooking in oven, marinate in Reynolds Oven bag) and add lamb. Wrap tightly and close, marinate overnight. Or, at this point the sealed bag can be put in the freezer to prepare days, weeks, or even months from now.

Leg of Lamb Dump Dinner - Ready for Freezer

A day or two before serving, put bag with lamb in refrigerator to defrost.

Before roasting, drain most of marinade and discard (retain about 1/2 to 3/4 cup)

Then cook on high with remaining marinade in Crock Pot 7 Hours (8 hours if not fully defrosted before cooking)
OR
Use reynolds oven bag
Slit bag as mfg. directs, roast lamb in bag, 3 ½ to 4 hours at 325 F, till 180 degrees (well done)
Remove bag for last hour, placing meat in pan without bag, and baste a couple of times with liquid during last hour.

I much prefer the Crock Pot method, but am including the oven bag instructions for those who do not have a Crock Pot. I have used both methods with good results, the Crock Pot is just a tad easier.

I should note, this recipe is for the "falling off the bone" school of lamb aficionados, not for those who like their lamb pink & rare.

Have a great & Blessed Feast Day!