Meals during the last week of the Nativity Fast. Rules for observing the Nativity fast

The Nativity Fast, which lasts 40 days, prepares believers to celebrate the great holiday - the Nativity of Christ. These days you need to adhere to a special diet and lifestyle to humble the body and spirit. Prayers and repentance are spiritual fast these days, and it is no less important than fasting in food, for which you need to receive a blessing (if you don’t do it, it will be considered a regular diet that you prescribed for yourself).

During the entire fast (from November 28 to January 6), meat, eggs, milk and all products containing them should not be eaten. If you cook your own food, then there shouldn’t be any problems, but if you buy ready product in the store - pay attention to its composition and the content of dairy products, meat and eggs prohibited during fasting. On all days except Saturday and Sunday, do not eat fish; you can eat it on forbidden days (except Wednesday and Friday) if holidays fall on them: St. Matthew the Apostle Day (November 29), Entry into the Temple Holy Mother of God(December 4) and the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Use vegetable oil only on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. The strictest days of fasting are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, as well as the days January 2-6. So that your body does not need essential amino acids, use a variety of legumes and seafood in your menu. At one meal, eat no more than 200 g of fish; the body still will not absorb excess protein. Replenish the presence of essential fatty acids using not only vegetable oil, but also olive, pumpkin, and flaxseed. Do not overuse potatoes, pasta and baked goods. Eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts. Throughout Lent, eat a variety of dishes from vegetables, fruits, legumes, sea “reptiles” (shrimp, mussels, crayfish), dried fruits, mushrooms, cereals; various pickles, honey, nuts, lean soups and borscht. Food should be without frills or excess. Alcoholic drinks are prohibited; only a little wine is allowed on weekends and holidays. Christmas Eve (January 6) is a day of especially strict fasting. Take food only when the first evening star appears. You can break your fast with a dish of boiled rice or wheat (sochivo) with the addition of poppy seeds, raisins, and jam.

If your work is physically difficult, you are of advanced age, you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have systemic diseases, it will be difficult to fast; in these cases, you can get permission to relax in food from the priest.

Fasting is not only abstinence in food, but also cleansing from everything worldly (passions, vices, evil deeds and thoughts, entertainment and loud events, married life), repentance and prayers. All this will help you get closer to the sacrament of unity with God, purify yourself and worthily meet the birth of the Son of God with a pure heart and thoughts.

Is it possible to eat crackers during the Nativity Fast?

We are gradually beginning to prepare for the great holiday. People who are just starting their life in the Church, as a rule, have many questions about rules and traditions. We tried to collect the most typical questions and asked them to Archpriest Alexey Mityushin, rector of the temple Life-Giving Trinity in Kosino.

We need the Nativity Fast in order to prepare our souls for the celebration of the great holiday - the Nativity of Christ. In the Orthodox Church two events are celebrated in a special way: This is the Resurrection of Christ and the Nativity of Christ.

People waited for the Nativity of Christ for many centuries, so that with the birth of the Lord they could get rid of the power of the devil over themselves. We continue to celebrate the joy of this birth of the Savior into the world to this day. Therefore, Christians prepare themselves for this event in advance, by fasting.

Before the Nativity Fast, Christians do not fast for more than three months. (after the Assumption Fast). We relax spiritually and physically, and before Christmas it is time to gather ourselves internally. When fasting disappears from our lives, we become weak both spiritually and physically.

The Nativity Fast is needed to celebrate the great holiday of Christmas in a dignified, Christian manner. To bring gratitude to God for the fact that He did not disdain our human nature and became, like us, a perfect Man, taking upon Himself all the hardships of our earthly existence, illnesses of the flesh and spirit.

How to observe the Nativity fast?

The Nativity fast is not so strict and complex; it is called the fish fast. The worldly tradition of fasting is easier than the monastic one. During this fast, lay people can eat fish on all days except Wednesday and Friday.

And according to church regulations, monks eat fish only on Saturdays and Sundays; on Tuesdays and Thursdays - only if holidays fall on these days. For example, the Day of Remembrance of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt (December 25), Celebration of the Icon Mother of God“The Sign” (December 10) or patronal holiday. After the first of January, monks no longer eat fish.

How to keep the Nativity fast for the laity?

It must be said that in the Russian tradition Orthodox Church laymen should imitate monks in their abstinence. Whoever has the strength can fast according to church regulations. Those who do not have such an opportunity, let them not despair, do not be discouraged, but during this Lent should better practice humility, love for others, reading spiritual literature, and reading the Gospel.

What should you not do during the Nativity Fast?

First of all, during the Nativity Fast you cannot commit everyday sins. If during Lent we do not eat fasting, but continue to remain crafty, angry, irritable, quarrel with our neighbors, judge others, chat in vain - this will be a violation of fasting. Fasting is an opportunity to abstain not only from food, but also from such moral daily sins that we are accustomed to not noticing in everyday life.

Is it possible to have a wedding (get married) during the Nativity Fast?

Orthodox Christians, of course, are not allowed to get married during the Nativity Fast. The wedding does not take place at this time. For those who decide to get married at the registry office, the Nativity Fast is also not the most suitable moment. It is important to remember that there is a time for everything: a time for joy and a time for abstinence. If a person considers himself Orthodox Christian, then he must listen to the voice of the Church.

Is it possible to have sex during the Nativity Fast?

This is a very subtle, personal question. The Apostle Paul responds in his first letter to the Corinthians: « Wife Not has power over her body, but her husband; likewise, the husband has no power over his own body, but the wife does” (1 Cor. 4:7). If a husband and wife fast in bodily abstinence, it is by mutual consent.

If Orthodox Christians have a spiritual father, then this issue needs to be resolved with him. This question is much more personal than, for example, abstaining from meat. Perhaps a Christian wife has an unbelieving husband; he does not understand such abstinence at all; this can lead to a quarrel in the family. That's why this problem It’s better to decide with your confessor.

What can you eat during the Nativity fast?

During the Nativity Fast you can eat fish, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and bread. You should not eat meat, poultry, dairy products or eggs.

Is it possible to eat fish during the Nativity Fast?

In worldly tradition, in condescension to our infirmities, fish can be eaten on all days except Wednesday and Friday. For the laity, this is more likely not a rule, but a relaxation. Modern man spends several hours a day on the road, gets tired at work, is at home with constant household worries, which is why we, as residents of megacities, are given such lenient indulgences.

Is it possible to drink wine during the Nativity Fast?

Wine is allowed to be drunk during the Nativity Fast on Sundays and major holidays that fall during Lent. For example, the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 4), the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (December 19), the day of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (December 13), the Day of Remembrance of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt (December 25), patronal feasts.

As King David said in the Psalter: “...Wine gladdens a man’s heart, and bread strengthens him” (Ps. 103:15). Wine is allowed to be drunk on holidays and on days of fasting, but in moderation.

It is worth mentioning separately about the night from December 31 to January 1. In 2018, January 1 is Monday. If you are going to take communion on this day, then you must observe complete abstinence from food and drinks from midnight (this restriction does not apply to very young children or taking medications). In all other cases, the celebration of the New Year should also be modest, since the Orthodox continue the Nativity Fast.

Is it possible to baptize during the Nativity Fast?

Baptism can take place on any day of the Nativity Fast. There are no obstacles to baptizing a child or adult during the Nativity Fast. Another thing is that you need to prepare for the sacrament: call the church, arrange a time for baptism, talk with the priest. Now there is a rule of compulsory catechesis for adults and adolescents about to be baptized, and for godfathers or mothers when baptizing young children.

Be sure to ask about the preparation for baptism in the church where you are going to be baptized yourself or to baptize a child. You can find out on the parish website, by phone or behind a candle box.

Is it possible to receive communion during the Nativity Fast?

It is possible and, moreover, it is advisable to take communion during the Nativity Fast more often than usual. Since fasting is a time that contributes to preparation for communion. We are in abstinence and prayer. Therefore, observing the rules of fasting, we can approach communion with the fear of God.

How to prepare for communion during the Nativity Fast?

Fasting, if observed, is in itself a preparation for communion. It is necessary to read the sequence to Holy Communion, read the penitential canon to the Savior, the prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos and the canon to the Guardian Angel.

What prayers are read during the Nativity Fast?

Since not all of us have time to read the daily morning and evening rules outside of Lent, it would be best to start with them during the Nativity Fast and try to read them regularly. This will be the best prayer work for us, which it is advisable to leave in our ordinary life after the Nativity Fast.

In addition, in the Christian tradition, during Lent one should read the Gospel more often: either in a row, or the one that is read that day in church (you can see this in church calendar, where the reading for each day is indicated). And those who follow both the daily rules and regularly read the Gospel should read the Psalter.

Is it possible to read akathists during the Nativity Fast?

You can read anything at home Orthodox prayers for the laity (without priestly exclamations). Eat famous expression“The cell does not have a charter.” Another thing is that an akathist is a solemn, joyful, thanksgiving prayer, which may not be very appropriate, for example, on Good Friday - the day of Christ's crucifixion. But during the Nativity Fast, you can read an akathist, especially since in December the days of remembrance of such famous saints as the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, Spyridon of Trimythous or St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia are celebrated.

What can you remember during the Nativity fast?

You need to remember the dead at any time of the year through prayer: submitting notes to the proskomedia (part of the liturgy), memorial services, and home prayer for deceased relatives and friends.

If we're talking about about the funeral meal, then it should be fast. The measure of abstinence and the possibility of relaxing fast requirements should be discussed with your confessor or priest, whose opinion you trust.

Is it possible to conceive a child during the Nativity Fast?

There is a tradition of giving up marital intimacy during Lent, so it is not worth conceiving a child during the Nativity Fast. On the other hand, the Apostle Paul says: “Do not depart from each other, except by consent, for a time, to practice fasting and prayer, and then be together again” (1 Cor. 7:5), so the question of the possibility of marital relations during the Nativity Fast needs to be discussed with your spouse. If the conception of a child does occur, do not pay attention to the superstitious ideas associated with this - the date of conception does not affect the child in any way.

Is it possible to eat marshmallows during the Nativity Fast?

During the Nativity Fast, according to the monastic charter, milk and eggs are prohibited. If these products are included in marshmallows (which can be read on the product packaging), then you cannot eat them. Let us remind you that the measure of abstinence and the possibility of relaxing fasting requirements must be previously discussed with your confessor or priest, whose opinion you trust.

Is it possible to get married during the Nativity fast?

It is not entirely clear what is meant by the word “matchmaking.” If we are talking about a marriage proposal or meeting the parents of the chosen one or chosen one, then this is not prohibited. If we are talking about a wedding, then in the Orthodox Church during multi-day fasts this sacrament is not performed.

By fasting, you can “sign in the registry office” and postpone the wedding until later, but it is better to ask for a blessing from your confessor for this, and consult with him on how best to proceed.

Is it possible to sew during the Nativity fast? Is it possible to embroider with beads during the Nativity Fast?

It's certainly possible. Sewing is a calm and soothing activity that suits the Lenten mood. It is better to embroider and sew than to waste time watching TV or spending time on the Internet after work. By the way, according to church tradition, the Most Holy Theotokos herself was engaged in sewing - she sewed a curtain for Solomon’s temple. On icons of the Annunciation, the Mother of God is often depicted with sewing supplies.

The main thing is that embroidery does not replace prayer in the temple. Otherwise, there are no prohibitions on doing embroidery at any time.

Any activity must be approached with inner spiritual reasoning.

Where can you celebrate unction during the Nativity Fast?

Unction during the Nativity Fast is a rarer phenomenon than unction during Great Lent.

However, in many Orthodox churches There is a tradition of unction during multi-day fasts.

You can find out how to receive unction in the church you have chosen on the parish website, by phone or at the candle box. They will tell you when you can receive unction and how best to prepare for the sacrament.

Residents of residential areas of Moscow are better off choosing a church in the city center, where there may be significantly fewer people than on the outskirts.

In the series of Christian holidays, Christmas ranks second in importance after Easter. When the Child of God was born in the poor Bethlehem manger, the angels in heaven sounded this joyful message to the world. The Son of God took on human nature and became a defenseless baby to save humanity from the bonds of sin.

There is no person on earth who would not experience the wondrous magic of Christmas night. This holiday opens the veil over the innermost essence of life, tears away the veil of everyday life, and gives the feeling of a never-ending holiday. In order to understand the essence of what is happening in all its depth, you need to cleanse your soul with repentance. The most important tool for this is fasting. Christmas lasts almost exactly 40 days - from November 28 to January 6 inclusive. It was established in the first centuries of Christianity, at the Council of 1166.

Christmas fast 2018-2019: what you can eat and what you should give up

The Nativity Fast, like the other three, has a commandment or eve - November 27th. On this day the church commemorates the Apostle Philip. In popular terms, the fast that follows is called Filippov or Filippovka. Zagovene is the last day when it is allowed to eat meat, dairy, and eggs. It is customary to move the spell to the previous day if it falls on Wednesday or Friday. But in 2018 it will be Tuesday.

The essence of any fast is to place the spiritual in one’s human nature above the physical. The easiest way to achieve this is by abstaining from the flesh, including limiting yourself in food. That’s why the gastronomic component of fasting is so important. But it should be remembered that without prayer, fasting becomes a regular diet.

Dietary restrictions are strict. But the meal plan for the Nativity Fast is quite simple:

Wednesday and Friday – food without vegetable oil, that is, dry eating.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - food cooked in vegetable oil.
Saturday and Sunday – fish dishes are added to the usual Lenten meal.

Wine can be drunk on all days except Wednesday and Friday. But use it in small quantities to maintain the spirit, and not for fun.

According to the charter, fish is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday, but many confessors allow the laity to consume it on all days except Wednesday and Friday.

Holidays on which fasting is relaxed

During the Nativity Fast there are also ten holidays when it is allowed to relax the fast a little, that is, even on Wednesday and Friday, serve boiled food and fish:

December 4, Sunday. The Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple is the third most important feast of the Theotokos, popularly called the Third Most Pure Mother of God.
November 29, Tuesday. Matthew the Apostle.
December 2, Friday. Philaret, Moscow Saint.
December 6, Tuesday. Mitrofan, Voronezh Saint.
December 10, Saturday – icons of the Mother of God “The Sign”.
December 13, Tuesday. Andrew, the First-Called Apostle.
December 17, Saturday. Great Martyr Barbara.
December 18, Sunday, St. Sava the Consecrated.
December 19, Monday. Memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker.

But, as you can see, this year only the holiday of Philaret of Moscow falls out of general rules post.

How to greet someone who is fasting New Year

One of the most joyful holidays - New Year - falls on the Nativity Fast. What can a fasting person eat? IN New Year's Eve You are allowed to drink a little wine and eat fish. You can cook it. But one must observe moderation in fun so as not to allow it to turn into revelry.

It is important to go to church and stand at a prayer service, thank God for the past year and ask for blessings for the coming one. If you want to watch TV, it's better to choose a good one Family Film. Jokes and excessive fun are inappropriate during Lent. And Christmas and New Year are not comparable in importance.

Christmas Eve and Holy Supper

Leads up to Christmas - the most serious day in terms of the severity of abstinence. Many believers try not to eat anything until the first star. Churches hold Christmas Eve services. A large candle placed at the end in the middle of the temple symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. After returning to their temple, you can already eat sochiva - boiled wheat grains with honey.

The dinner on the eve of Christmas is called the Holy Supper. It is customary for the whole family to gather for it. There are 12 Lenten dishes on the table, the main one of which is kutia. It is prepared from boiled wheat grains with the addition of poppy seeds, honey, raisins and nuts. This dish starts the meal. Everyone should eat at least a spoonful of it.

How to properly break the Nativity Fast

You need to break the fast carefully, without overloading the body. The diet must include low-fat dairy products and steamed omelettes. Concerning meat dishes, then in the first days let it be boiled chicken or turkey, beef tongue. Only after a week will it be possible to return to your normal diet.

One of the rules of fasting is that lenten food should not be superior in quality to non-lenten food. Therefore, replacing lean foods with lean delicacies is nothing more than healthy diet. Such fasting is unacceptable by the church. In ancient times, money saved on the purchase of modest products was distributed as alms. Leo the Great spoke about it this way: “For God’s generosity to us, we must give thanks with generosity to the poor.”

About the measure of fasting

Each person has their own measure of fasting. Some people can live on bread and water, while others need meat food for health reasons. The Church has always been lenient towards human weaknesses. Correctly, from the point of view of abstaining from food, the person who is always a little hungry is fasting. Even if his diet contains non-lenten foods.

You need to fast according to reason, calculating your capabilities and not exceeding them. The Lenten Rule adopted by the Church is essentially monastic. For the laity, concessions are made. It is best to consult a priest. And if illness overcomes you, then consult a doctor, his word will be the measure of fasting.

Also you should know

The Nativity Fast began on November 28th. It will last until the first star on January 6, 2018. His main goal is a spiritual cleansing, and not a diet, as some believe. It is necessary to throw all bad thoughts out of your head, forgive all your offenders, do good, repent of sins and drive away bad thoughts and temptations. Traditionally, fasting lasts 40 days.

What is prohibited?

During the Nativity Fast you cannot eat:
- meat;
- cheese;
- butter;
- milk.

What can you eat?

Vegetables and fruits, flour products, with the exception of butter products, are allowed during the Nativity Fast. You can eat fish until January 2, but only after evening services on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Fish is also allowed on church holidays:

November 29 - Memorial Day of St. Apostle Matthew;
December 4 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple;
December 6 - Memorial Day of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky;
December 13 - Memorial Day of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called;
December 19 - Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker;

The severity of fasting increases from January 2. These days, even fish is prohibited until Christmas, and in Russia, New Year is celebrated on these days.

How does the fast end?

Christmas Eve falls on January 6th. On this day you can eat only soaked wheat grains with honey and fruits. The fast ends with the appearance of the first star in the sky.

According to tradition, the table was set for 12 people according to the number of apostles. However, the menu that evening should still be Lenten. In memory of the manger in which Jesus was born, a bunch of fresh hay was always placed on the table.

In general, the daily diet for fasting people looks like this:

	Mon.	Tue.	Wed	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Sun.
28.11 — 19.12				Fish and vegetable oil are allowed	Only raw plant foods		Fish, vegetable oil and wine are allowed
20.12 — 01.01	Boiled vegetable foods without oil are allowed		Only raw plant foods	Boiled vegetable foods with oil are allowed	Only raw plant foods	Fish, vegetable oil and wine are allowed	Fish, vegetable oil and wine are allowed
02.01 — 06.01	Only raw plant foods	Boiled vegetable foods without oil are allowed	Only raw plant foods	Boiled vegetable foods without oil are allowed	Only raw plant foods	Boiled vegetable foods with oil are allowed	Boiled vegetable foods with oil are allowed

The winter season is full of holidays, the most special and the main one for many believers is Christmas. Before the start of the holiday, the church established a fast of 40 days, what can be eaten during the Nativity Fast and why this rule was established, what benefits fasting brings to the soul, when to start and how to fast correctly, every person needs to know.

When does the Nativity fast begin?

Every year, the date of the beginning of the Nativity fast is stable, without changes, on November 28th. It ends on the morning of January 7th. On the night from 6 to 7 in the church to serve All-night vigil- a special service of God, the Savior came into the world - he was born in Bethlehem. Poor shepherds and rich wise men brought him gifts, whoever was rich in something and hurried to the newborn baby. The Nativity fast for a layman is a sacrifice for the glory of God, a gift for a newborn that he can give.

Fasting lasts 40 days - this is the path at the end of which a person gains joy from the coming of Christ to earth. The strictest day of this fast is January 6 - Christmas Eve, popularly Christmas Eve. On this day, a strict fast is required, for those who can withstand it for health reasons, even lenten foods are prohibited during the day; in the evening, after the appearance of the first star, it is customary to eat kutya or sochivo - lenten porridge with honey and raisins. The purpose of fasting is to strengthen the spiritual state, to remind that the main need of the human soul is communication with God, we must forget about the essential, that is, food.

Why is the Nativity Fast called Filippov?

The history of the Nativity Fast - stories about times recorded on the pages of the Bible. The concept itself is the beginning New Era– the time of the Birth of Jesus Christ, counting down time for a specific event. The beginning of the Nativity Fast falls on the day after St. Apostle Philip, the name Philip's fast was invented by the people. In the old days, navigate by church holidays It was easier and more convenient for believers, not every home had a calendar, but everyone went to church and on Sunday the priest announced the upcoming holidays according to the charter for a whole week in advance and talked about the beginning of Lent.

How to prepare for the Nativity Fast?

Christmas or Filippov fast, any fast - work on yourself and established rules. Food, which is abstained from on such days, is not the most important source of human life. Often, in the pursuit of “satisfying the flesh,” people do not find time for the main thing, to strengthen their spiritual strength; they do not have enough time for prayer and alms. Just giving up your usual food is not enough, you need to try to change yourself for the better.

How to observe the Nativity Fast correctly?

The first day and all other days are a report before the festive event; during fasting you should spend more time than usual according to the daily schedule in prayer, doing good deeds, and helping your neighbors. One day you should load yourself with the rules - go headlong into fasting, if you can do it. God strengthens those who strive for him along the path of fasting.

Rules of the Nativity Fast for the laity

The order for this fast is the last day on which they eat animal products and drink wine. There are four fasts in a year, before each of them there is a day of fasting, if this day falls on Wednesday or Friday, but it is forbidden to consume the above foods. Example - November 27th may fall on a Tuesday, which means you can eat meat and milk, drink wine, but if the 27th falls on a Friday, then you should only eat lean food until Christmas.

How to eat during the Nativity fast?

It is difficult to call food during the Nativity Fast meager; lenten dishes are very tasty, nutritious and healthy. On weekends and special days of remembrance of the most revered saints, such as St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (celebrated on December 19. On this day it is allowed to eat fish and drink wine. On odd days of the week (except Sunday) - food with vegetable oil, if your health allows you to cook food without it.

What can you eat during the Nativity Fast?

The list of what is allowed to eat during the Nativity Fast is long. At the very beginning, the question may arise about what food to prepare, but in a few days the usual menu can easily be changed to a lean one. It is especially useful to steam or bake in a sleeve - on days when it is not customary to eat dishes with vegetable oil. Basic products for cooking:

porridge;
fresh and pickled vegetables;
fruits, dried fruits;
nuts and bee products;
vegetable oils;
fish and seafood.
mushrooms.

What should you not eat during Lent before Christmas?

You should study the composition of products purchased in the store; if the manufacturer honestly indicates on the label the presence of soy or palm milk, then such a product can be consumed, it contains fats of vegetable origin. If you pay attention, you can buy a lot of lean products. List of what you can’t eat during the Nativity Fast - all fast foods:

meat of any animals;
absolutely all dairy products;
eggs.

Recipes for the Advent for every day

The rules of the Nativity Fast allow for concessions for sick people, pregnant and lactating women, and children. If a person wants to fast, but his health does not allow him to adhere to all the rules, he can reduce his food intake by half, or exclude some foods from it, without harm to the body. Make it a rule not to consume a specific product for 40 days, or not to eat dairy or meat products on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Cabbage soup with mushrooms and fresh cabbage - Lenten version

Ingredients:

a small head of cabbage;
carrots, onions;
1 tomato;
50 g dried mushrooms;
3-4 potatoes;
a bunch of greenery.

Preparation:

Pre-soak the mushrooms for 2 hours and boil for 15-20 minutes.
Fry finely chopped onion and grated carrot, simmer and add mushrooms and diced tomato.
Add water to the mushroom broth and boil the chopped potatoes and cabbage in it.
Mix the vegetables stewed with mushrooms and boil for a couple of minutes.
Decorate the finished cabbage soup with fresh herbs before serving.

Potatoes for Lent - recipes

It’s not difficult to prepare delicious, hearty dishes during Lent - pies and pies, cutlets with vegetable and fish fillings, casseroles with mushrooms, vegetable stews, homemade sauces and adjikas, and dried herbs will diversify any menu. During Lent before Christmas, many dishes are prepared based on potatoes; they can be baked, fried, boiled, steamed, served on their own or as a side dish.

Country potatoes

Ingredients:

small potatoes 15-20 pieces;
3-4 cloves of garlic;
vegetable oil;
dry herbs, salt, pepper.

Preparation:

Wash the potatoes thoroughly and dry on a towel.
Cut into small slices and place in a large saucepan.
Drizzle with oil and squeeze out the garlic, add dry herbs, salt and pepper.
Cover the pan with a lid and shake to mix.
Bake in the oven on a baking sheet. Potatoes can be cooked in a sleeve.

"Potato dumplings"

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. flour;
0.5 tbsp. water;
a pinch of salt;
vegetable oil;
half a kilo of potatoes;
200 g mushrooms;
bulb;
salt, pepper to taste.

Preparation:

Knead the dough.
Fry chopped onions and mushrooms.
Add the frying to the boiled mashed potatoes.
Make dumplings.
Boil.

Salads for Lent - recipes

Food during the Nativity Fast is very tasty, light, and it is beneficial for the body - it helps relieve the digestive system and improve the functioning of internal organs. Salads are prepared based on fresh and boiled vegetables, seasoned with lean mayonnaise or vegetable oil, and decorated with herbs. Simple available recipes take minimal time to prepare.

Salad “Fruit Pair”

Ingredients:

1 avocado;
1 orange;
Crimean onion;
a jar of olives;
5-6 cherry tomatoes;
bunch of lettuce leaves.

Preparation:

Cut the peeled orange into cubes.
Slice the avocado and sprinkle with lemon juice.
Finely chop the olives, divide the tomatoes into four parts, cut the lettuce leaves, chop the onion into half rings.
Mix all ingredients and pour over dressing.
The dressing consists of 2 tbsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp. sugar, 0.5 tsp. mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper - mix.

Baking during Lent - recipes

Delicious baked goods and easy to prepare, original dishes for the Nativity Fast, you can prepare without spending too much a large amount. It is clear that the Lenten recipe does not contain the usual eggs, dairy products, butter, but Lenten baked goods are no less tasty without these ingredients. Ready-made pies are decorated with ground nuts or sprinkled with powder.

Pineapple muffin with dried apricots and prunes