Lent - Related Content

As the season of Lent begins, the Seasoned Franciscan offers a recipe for Minestrone Soup and a “recipe” for Lent from Christine Valters Paintner.  In her book “A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent”,  Christine poses the question: “What is my true hunger?”  Whether you have a long practice of Lenten reflection or are new to the season the summary of her reflections in this post may season these weeks before Easter with meaning.

Convenience is “king” in the typical US kitchen. “From scratch” cooking doesn’t have to be drudgery, and is a great way to limit consumption of  the many “ultra-processed” foods that line our grocery shelves. You are invited to make a quick recipe for Baking Mix and enjoy simple or fancy pancakes from a few pantry staples. 

Fasting is an important spiritual practice. During Lent Christians fast, pray, and give to those in need in order to increase awareness of our poverty and need for God.  In times of crisis, fasting can deepen our prayer and action to bring about Christ-like love and compassion. Lentil Meatloaf and links to other tasty lentil recipes invite us to eat simply and identify with humble cultures who do so regularly.

In her Lenten reflection book, Christine Valters Paintner invites us to fast from “speed and rushing in order to embrace slowness and pausing.”  In our Western culture, our minds and hands seem to move at a fast pace.  One place to slow down is in the kitchen.  A simple recipe for “Slow Cooker Stew” invites us to pause to savor a hearty meal.  Check out the "Slow Food" movement.