One of my Lenten favorites is 15 (or 16) bean soup. It’s not expensive to have meals for 15 people, approx. You need the package of beans, juice of one lemon, a whole onion cut up, salt and pepper to taste, and one can of stewed tomatoes. It takes several hours to cook, but it’s worth it.
Just outstanding, with either cornbread or homemade bread. Outside of Lent, it’s good with hamhocks, or diced ham, whatever. The bean package includes a packet of vegetarian ham flavor, if desired, but I like it better without the artificial flavoring.
We have a Chaldean fruit shop near us.
They have a bakery in the back and bake breads on long wooden planks every day. It’s 5 large diamond shaped pieces for a dollar. Most times, it’s warm. If you’re lucky, it’s coming out of the oven and too hot to even touch. Customers grab their own with tongs and stuff them into paper bags.
On Fridays, we go in there, grab some Arab cheese, grapes and the bread. Yum-o.
Sounds yummy!
I finally found a place near us that sells salt cod. Salt cod mashed with potatoes and fried. Ummmm....
Unfortunately, it isn’t much of a penetential meal for us since we love it!