Back in the Middle Ages, a traditional menu for Lent was formed in Russia. It contained products specific to the region, with due regard for their religious admissibility. In the modern era, lean cuisine has been enriched with recipes from other peoples, while retaining its traditional orientation.
Lean eating principles
Fasting is a time of spiritual cleansing and concentration on the religious component of life. This is especially true of Great Lent - the longest and preceding the main Orthodox holiday - Easter. Fasting implies self-restraint, including in nutrition. Bans on the use of certain foods are closely related to the rest of the requirements of the fast. Products of animal origin are excluded, alcohol as food contributing to gluttony. Ideally, lean food should be as simple as possible - an Orthodox Christian should not spend too much time preparing lunch or dinner. You should also be careful about fasting menus in a restaurant, not forgetting that entertainment during fasting is also not encouraged. At the same time, there is no ban on going to public catering - it is natural that a person working and studying far from home can eat lean food in the dining room or in the cookery.
The food most suitable for fasting can be found in vegetarian restaurants.
Also, you should not be too excessive in fasting. Naturally, infants cannot observe an adult fast. Older children are also allowed to relax, as their body grows and develops. The same applies to sick people. Also, according to Russian traditions, the fast could be facilitated by travelers who did not have the opportunity to eat only suitable dishes.
Specific foods prohibited and permitted during Lent
For the whole of Great Lent, meat and products from it, as well as eggs and milk, are banned. During the fast, the consumption of fish is also traditionally restricted. It is allowed only for two days - during the Annunciation and Palm Sunday. While vegetable oil is not considered animal food, it is also restricted according to reports on Orthodox websites. You can cook with this oil on weekends, as well as on several days of March, which are the days of the glorification of the most famous saints. Traditionally, Great Lent begins with a day of complete fasting. No food is eaten on Good Friday until sunset.
There is no consensus among religious scholars regarding the use of seafood during the fast.
Of the permitted products in Russia, they ate a variety of cereals during fasting - millet, buckwheat, oatmeal. Culinary recipes that included sauerkraut were very popular. During Lent, mushrooms became an important source of protein. Mushrooms were stewed and simmered with vegetables, and soups were made from them. Instead of traditional bread, they ate cakes without milk and eggs during the fast. With all the severity of the rules of Lent, experienced chefs could prepare simple and tasty dishes from permitted products.
