Many home cooks have a limited repertoire of non-meat main dishes. We’ve put together a collection of recipes that are fish-based, vegetarian or vegan that are acceptable to eat on Fridays during this solemn Christian season.
TUNA, RED ONION AND BEAN SALAD WITH A SOFT-BOILED EGG (FISH-BASED)
You likely have most of the ingredients already on hand. The recipe calls for borlotti beans, a type of kidney bean, but regular kidney beans work just fine. So do pinto or Great Northern beans. Serve with a couple slices of protein-rich sprouted bread and you have a hearty meal.
SHRIMP CURRY POT NOODLE (FISH-BASED)
This very upscale version of ramen noodles is very easy to make. The recipe makes enough for two generous portions.
ITALIAN NEATBALLS (VEGAN)
Some people complain that following a vegan diet is time-consuming. Washing and chopping vegetables does take more time than opening up a box of highly-refined ingredients. A couple shortcuts for this recipe: substitute diced garlic that comes in a jar instead of fresh garlic and use frozen onions already diced. If you want to be able to make a quick dinner when you get home from a busy day, cook the rice and lentils either the previous night or in the morning before you go to work.
SHEPHERDLESS PIE (VEGETARIAN)
This recipe comes from "Pies: Sweet and Savory" by Caroline Bretherton. A vegetarian twist on a traditional meat-based dish, this recipe is tasty and filling.
RED LENTILS WITH LIME AND CILANTRO (VEGETARIAN)
From pot to table, these lentils take about 20 minutes. They're tasty, and a serving contains 202 calories. For adding a little crunch to the recipe, we tossed in a couple diced scallions to ours.
BLACK-EYED PEA FRITTERS (VEGAN, SOY-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE)
These fritters are sort of like a vegan, gluten-free hushpuppy, but rich in protein and fiber. If you want a peppier version than the recipe calls for, increase the amount of cayenne to 1½ teaspoons or add a jalapeno pepper.
SALAD SANDWICHES (VEGETARIAN)
Not only are these sandwiches economical and easy to make, they're tasty, too. Serve them with cottage cheese or French fries, and fresh fruit.
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