Joanna Marie O. Santos
April 11, 2022

It's hard to figure out what and/or where to eat, especially on fasting and abstinence days. More often, the fish and veggies combo doesn’t cut it anymore. We’re here to remind you: just because it’s Lent, it doesn’t mean you can’t shake things up. Even better: it’s a great time to widen your palate for vegetarian and/or vegan options!   Make this Holy Week even more meaningful and special with vegetable meals to round off the Lenten season!   1. Vegetarian Enchiladas

Image source: chilecrush.com

  Enchiladas are a tasty and substantial dish that is very easy to prepare for this coming Holy Week. For us Filipinos, this is also an uncommon healthy recipe, so surprise your family with this vegetable diet recipe. For a tasty filling, use mushrooms, onions, chilies, and spinach in this vegetarian enchilada recipe. The filling is wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with cheese, green tomatoes, and serrano hot pepper sauce. The sauce provides some heat and a lot of flavor, whereas the cheese balances off the heat and brings everything together, which will definitely earn a spot in your regular or potluck menu.   Ingredients:   0.25 kilograms green tomatoes 1 chile pepper (Serrano) 1 garlic clove (peeled) 4 sprigs coriander salt 1 tsp. Olive oil 1/4 cup mushrooms (cleaned and sliced) 1/4 onion (peeled and slice) 1 chili pepper (finely green, chopped) 10 spinach leaves (washed and dried) 6 corn tortillas white cheese (shredded)   Directions:   Step 1 In a pot of water, cook the tomatoes and Serrano chile pepper until the tomatoes are tender. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatoes, chile pepper, garlic, and coriander with a pinch of salt. Puree until completely smooth. Step 2 On medium heat, place a big pan or wok on the stove. Sauteé the mushrooms, onion, and chili pepper in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Step 3 Add the spinach and a teaspoon of salt. Cook for another minute after thoroughly mixing. Step 4 In a separate skillet, heat the tortillas, fold them in half, and fill them with the mushroom and spinach mixture. Step 5 Fill the tortillas with cheese, close them, then pour the tomato sauce on top. Serve with more cheese on top.   2. Vegetarian Empanadas

Image source: milohaspastries.com

  Empanadas are hand-held dishes made of pockets of flaky, buttery dough filled with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. This healthy vegetable empanadas recipe works well as a snack or a main course. These delectable dishes, which have 790 calories per serving, take 65 minutes to produce. Who doesn't enjoy a buttery, flaky crust filled with gooey goodness? For a lovely and delectable meal, top them with low-fat sour cream. Enjoy serving this meal during this coming Holy Week!   Ingredients:   0.5 kilograms flour 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup water 50 grams vegetable shortening 2 1/2 poblano peppers cooking oil (spray) 1 1/2 onions 3 cloves garlic (minced) 2 1/2 Tbsp. low-fat sour cream 3/4 cup goat cheese (crumbled) 1 1/2 cups chihuahua cheese (diced) salt ground black pepper   Directions:   Step 1 Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Step 2 Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing basin. In the center, crack the egg. Step 3 Melt the shortening in 1/2 cup heated water separately. Knead the flour, salt, and sugar together in the center. Soft and silky dough is ideal. Allow 30 minutes to rest after covering with a rag.   3. Vegetarian Hamburger

Image source: foodprint.org

  If you don't eat meat during Holy Week, it doesn't mean you can't appreciate the flavor and texture of a decent hamburger. This healthy recipe hamburger dish is not only tasty, but it's also flavorful because it's free of the meat we don't want to consume.   Ingredients:   1 Tbsp. olive oil 1/3 onion (finely chopped) 2 carrots (finely chopped) 12 mushrooms (finely chopped) 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. turmeric 1/4 tsp. curry powder 1/2 tsp. cumin 2 1/2 cups lentils (cooked) 1 egg white 1 cup rice (whole wheat, cooked) bread (whichever kind you like, approximately 12 slices) lettuce 1 sliced tomato mustard jalapeno peppers   Directions:   Step 1 In a big pan, pour the olive oil and sauté the onion and carrots for 3 minutes over medium heat. Step 2 Combine the mushrooms with the remaining spices, including the salt and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the liquids have completely evaporated. Step 3 In a blender or food processor, combine the lentils and the egg white until a paste forms.   4. Vegetarian Paella

Image source: cupfulofkale.com

  Thinking of a new dish this coming holy week? It might be challenging to come up with new meals. This healthy recipe won't let you down. Turn your ordinary rice into a paella that your family or friends will surely love. It has a lot of taste and is quite healthy for you and your body.   Ingredients:   2 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 serrano chili pepper 1 green bell pepper, sliced (in strips) 1/2 onion (sliced in rings) 1 garlic clove (chopped) 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 pinch thyme 2 tomatoes (peeled, seeded, and chopped) 1 zucchini (chopped) 1/2 cup rice 1 cup stock (you can substitute with water) parsley (as desired) lemon juice (as desired) salt (as desired) pepper (as desired)   Directions:   Step 1 Preheat a large skillet on low to medium heat. Step 2 1 tablespoon olive oil, heated in a skillet Step 3 Combine the serrano chili pepper, green bell pepper, and onion in a large mixing bowl. 15 minutes of intermittent stirring   5. Vegetarian Pizza

Image source: baptisthealth.net

  People avoid eating pizza during Holy Week because of the meat toppings, but lo-and-behold, we have a healthy recipe for you to enjoy pizza without worrying about eating any form of meat because all the ingredients are vegetarian!   Ingredients:   3 cups flour (plus extra for counter top) 2 Tbsp. active dry yeast 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup warm water 1 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese 3/4 cup zucchini (sliced) 1/2 cup yellow onion (sliced, can use red) 1 cup fresh mushrooms (sliced) 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. italian seasoning 2 Tbsp. pizza sauce (more if you like more sauce)   Directions:   Step 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Step 2 Set aside the flour and salt in a large mixing dish. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Pour the flour mixture into the water/yeast mixture and stir in the olive oil. Step 3 Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together (or use a Kitchen Aid mixer with a hook). Sprinkle flour on the counter, set the dough on top, and knead it. Knead the dough for 5 to 8 minutes, or until it is smooth.   You've got the right inspiration to create vegetable recipes this Holy Week now that you've already seen the healthy menu! Please try them out and let us know how they do!   Sources: thebeet.com, yummly.com, onegreenplanet.org