It has been a practice among Roman Catholics to abstain from eating meat every Friday during lent, and the entire holy week. It is not recommended to eat pork, chicken, beef and other types of meat during this time of the year.
However, you can always consume vegetables and seafood. Since lent is a time to reflect and focus on spiritual health, let me help you a bit by suggesting some dishes that you can prepare for this week so that you can concentrate on more important things.
The original article suggests 12 dishes; I added 8 more dishes and provided the links for the recipes, for your convenience.
May you find inner peace and be able to reflect on your relationship with our creator.
Here are the (12 + 8 more) Filipino food that can help nourish your body for this season:
1. Ginataang Tilapia
Ginataang Tilapia is a delicious dish where Tilapia is cooked in coconut milk (or cream) and served with banana peppers.
2. Inihaw na Pusit
Inihaw na Pusit (grilled squid) is a simple tasty dish that can be prepared quickly. It is best eaten with a spiced vinegar dip.
3. Ginisang Ampalaya (w/egg)
Ginisang Amapalaya is a dish composed of sauteed bitter melon or bitter gourd, tomato, onions, and beaten eggs. This is simply nutritious.
4. Sinigang na Hipon
Sinigang na Hipon or Shrimp in Sour Soup can be considered as a comfort food among Filipinos. It is flavorful and very easy to prepare.
5. Atcharang Papaya
Atcharang Papaya is the Filipino version of Sauerkraut. It is sweet and sour at the same time, though this makes use of green (unripe) papaya.
6. Lumpiang Sariwa
Lumpiang Sariwa or Fresh spring rolls is a perfect dish for lent. Although the original recipe makes use of pork, you can make your version for the holy week by not using pork or any meat ingredient.
7. Tortang Talong
Tortang Talong is a type of Filipino eggplant omelet. It is a quick and easy-to-make dish that I usually eat with banana ketchup and white rice.
8. Ginisang Togue
Ginisang Togue or Sauteed Mung Bean Sprouts with Tofu and Vegetables is something that you might consider for lent. It is nutritious and delicious.
9. Buttered Garlic Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp is shrimp stir-fried in butter and garlic. You can complete this dish in less than 20 minutes.
10. Steamed Lapu-lapu
Steamed Fish or steamed lapu-lapu (grouper) is one of my favorites because it is tasty and the dish does not taste too fishy at all. It might be because of all the citrus blend that was added. It is simple and good!
11. Sardines with Misua and Patola
Sardines (in tomato sauce) with flour noodles, and loofah is what this dish is about. Flavorful, budget-friendly, and practical.
12. Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Crab
Crab, string beans, and calabaza squash cooked in coconut milk — OMG! This is one of my personal favorites. I am sure that most of you feel the same way. Give this a try and let’s see what you think.
Here are the additional 8 that I hand-picked for you:
1. Tuyo with Rice and Tomato
2. Kangkong in Oyster Sauce
3. Vegetarian Pancit Canton
4. Sipo Eggs
5. Bulanglang
6. Scallop Chop Suey Recipe
7. Inihaw na Tilapia
8. Monggo Guisado with Dilis and Malunggay
Have a blessed lent!
If you have questions, requests, or suggestions, you can contact me here.
chris allarde says
you can probably have seafood pasta.
emerelyn castro says
thank you for sharing in many kinds of menus. I personally jot down the ingredients and cook it for the family. I follows ur columns regularly and filed as my Recipe studies. tenk u so much
Mylene says
Thanks for sharing!!!
Josie says
Thank you for sharing vanjo! You’re the best! Godbless!!
Lppuzon says
Thanks Vanjo for making me cook with taste. Love all your recipes! Keep up the good work!
Marilyn Blanchette says
Although I’m not Catholic, (we still enjoy the meat while celebrating lent), I love everything you have posted and will be good anytime of year. I especially love the “inihaw na Pusit”. I can actually get those big gigantic squid at our local Asian market. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks!
Lagrimas Brooks says
Thanks for the recipes Vanjo, I already made me some of these recipes since the start of the Holy Week. I appreciate that you added more than I could have think of. I sure will keep cooking these recipes when I get cravings for them.
armie says
Love all the recipes….thanks and God bless you more
Jimmie says
Thank you so much, I love all your postings, but am so sorry for some ingredients could not be easily buy where I am…..I can do all of these if I am in Pinas….anyway just keep postings……greatly appreciated Kababayan……
Elma says
Thanks so much for sharing, Vanjo! God bless you.
jamela says
Thanks for sharin.
feyah briones says
Thank you so much yummy food
Jenny Gydesen says
Thank’s vanjo , you are the Best
Joy Abinales says
Thank you for all the recipes you’ve shared. Will definitely try cooking those dishes. Have a nice Holy Week and God bless always.!
Lydia T.Herrero says
Thanks for sharing me your recipes. Ienjoy watching your videos, i already tried some of your recipes and my family really appreciated it.. thanks so much
myrna says
Thanks so much for this. It really help think easier what to cook this holy week. I appreciate it.
manuela garcia says
Thank you !!
Gloria Chen says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes… God bless!!!
Emmanuel Arcilla Jr. says
Thank you for sharing, my family will surely love this kind of menu for this coming Lenten season. Thanks again, god bless and more power. I’m one of your fan, in terms of cooking. God bless again.
mae rabago says
Thank you for sharing vanjo…your excellent chef cook…i like ur recipes its affordable & easy to cook…God bless & more power!!!
marilyn mendoza says
Thanks vanjo for sharing this recipes that suit for lenten season.i love all of this..
zel beroi says
Thanks for sharing your recipes ! It really helps a lot. God bless
mae ann says
A blessed week to you, too. Thanks for reminding us of food alternatives for the week ahead, Vanjo.
Teresa Laws says
Many thanks for all the scrumptious dishes you’ve posted. it’s been a great experience for beginners like me to learn and create appetizing dishes for the family and friends.
Joel says
Hi Vanjo
Thank you for sharing your cooking expertise. Through your step-by-step video demo, I am now slowly able to prepare some foods that I only wish I knew how to in the past.
God bless….
Danny says
thanks Vanjo for sharing, you’re the best
perry padilla says
It’s a big help your suggested dish for the Holy week. So simple dishes that anyone can afford. Appreciate it very much..
Ning Palm says
thanks for the recipe..i’m loving all of it.
Joanne says
Thank you so much. I like all your recipes . God bless you!
Evelyn says
I follow your recipes and enjoy cooking and eating them. I appreciate your Filipino food research.
Annette Feliciano says
Thank you for sharing these simple and easy to cook but very tasty recipes. I keep a file of all your recipes for easy access when I need them. Keep them coming!
Maria elena colico says
Thanks for sharing godbless always
thess sanchez says
Thank you for sharing.. I love your recipes. God bless you and keep on posting.
Joe and Renee says
Thanks for sharing your recipes and updates.
Marife says
Thanks you I love all you’re recipes
Emelyn says
3/28/15
Thanks you so for your recipe it’s a big help for me if I want something to cook I just follow ur colomm
jonalyn says
lumpiang sariwa here i come1:) Thanks vanjo
Mj says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes,i love it & i enjoy cooking! More power & more recipes to come
Laura V. Cespon says
Hi Vanjo, congratulations, your recipes are nutritious and healthy plus affordable. I compiled these for easy access. Please keep them coming. Thank you.
Nida Jusay says
Thank you so much for sharing. I always go and check with your recipes whenever I need them.
I like all the menus and will definitely cook them. Happy Easter, God bless!
ludelita says
thank you for sharing you recipe, your great and more power
lhyn says
Thank you for sharing your recipes, God bless you more
lilibeth martin says
thank you for all the recipes you’re sending to me/us. it really help me not to think of what to cook for my family. ypu’re giving me lots of ideas what to cook for the whole week. thanks a lot. and lots of luck on your column.
Myrna Aquino says
Thank you for posting all the foods,i all love it.
Anna May says
Hi Vanjo,
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe
Anna May says
I’m very happy to try it this Lenten season, glad to received your email. Take care, more power and God Bless.
Genebeth says
Thank you so much for sharing… I love your website & helps me lot in the kitchen. GOD bless!
Mell reyes says
Thanks for all your recipes.. My family and I enjoy so much all of them.. Truly Pilipino dishes has that wow
factor that even my foreign friends always look forward for my cooking. Thank you so much.
maristel says
thank you so much for sharing your recipe. really helps to people like us who wants to eat quality food and nutritious one..more power!!
DEONILA OLIVAR says
thanks for sharing..i like it…
Remedios Guilas says
Thank you very much for the Lenten recipes you’ve shared. I tried “Ginataang Tilapia” last night. My family loved it. Thanks and more power.
Lynnet Sarvida says
thank u for sharing. More menus to come! God Bless
peter says
thanks for sharing this kind of menus in this spiritual journey I will serve this to my Family
God Bless!
Gil Amolong says
thank you very much sir,its a big help for me,i using your recipe for my everyday menu for my family…….and they love it…..god bless you…..
kolokey says
thank you for your receipts which looks very mouthwatering and the varety of ingredients which are in the different menus and can be found where I live.
Pinky says
Thank you so much for this…Have a Blessed Holy Week!
Aurea Schuhmeier says
thanks for sharing…i will try lumpiang sariwa… looks so delicious…
Maggie Imbert says
Hello,,thank you for sharing your différent kinds of menu,evening im her In france i always coking filipino food and réally injoy with your reciepe and my husband hé lives my filipino food,,thank you panlasang pinoy,,,God bless you,,,
cherry says
Thank you so much Vanjo!! i tried so many of your recipes and it ALWAYS turns out perfect!! You’re a lifesaver in my kitchen :)) More power to you!!
cherry says
Thank you so much Vanjo!! I’ve tried a number of your recipes and it always turns out perfectly!! You’re a lifesaver in my kitchen :)) More power to you!
Debbie Berja says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. God bless you and your family. 🙂
liza says
Thank you very much fof sharing these delicious and healthful recipes.
Eloisajesalva says
Thank you for sharing your food recipes panlasang pinoy your the best
Xedric LP says
Love your suggestions. Always helpful. 🙂
George Small says
Thank you so much for these wonderful recipes. Vanjo you give me many creative ideas when I think about what I want to cook. Please keep posting and I will keep eating such delicious dishes.
Cha says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. God bless you and your family! . 🙂
Nancy Guillen says
thanks for sharing, it gives me an idea on what to cook this lent week. thumbs up!
Aleli Morales says
Thank you for all the recipes. It gives me an idea of what to cook this lenten season.
patty says
Thank you for the effort of sharing the .. recipes. .