Well, it is the first Friday of Lent and I planned to have a new recipe for you.  But that didn’t work out.  Everything has just been getting away from me lately and I don’t see the tide turning anytime soon.  Here’s to hoping.

You don’t have to go to a fish fry every Friday for the next six weeks.  Think outside the box a bit.  Even though I’m not as prepared as I would like, there are several options already here to help you out if you aren’t eating meat whether it is because of Lent or just because.  Some recipes are good to go just as is.  Some might need the tiniest tweak to make them meat free.  When you click on one of the links below you can just scroll to bottom to get to the recipe.  I’m assuming everyone’s days are out of control like mine and you don’t have time to read 97 blog posts.  Right?  Please say yes, I don’t want to be the only one.

Let’s start with soup.  Always comforting on a cold February day.  I think Roasted Carrot Soup sounds perfect today.  I use chicken broth in the recipe but you could easily substitute vegetable broth.  These additional three soups also fit the bill:  Roasted Red Kuri Squash, Creamy Zucchini and Vegetable Garden.

Moving on to pasta dishes.  I have two pasta salad recipes if you are looking for something refreshing.  Maybe for lunch? Tri-Colore Orzo is amazing and unique (thanks Giada) and Simple Pasta Salad is your basic pasta salad because sometimes you just want an old school pasta salad.

Any of these warm pastas are also great for lunch but I do usually serve them for dinner.  Italian Tuna Pasta is ALWAYS in our dinner rotation, not only during Lent.  Generally, I’m not a fan of canned tuna but this is the recipe that converted me into a sometimes super fan.  Summer Garden Pasta is always a hit.  Don’t let the name fool you, you can make it in winter too.  You just have to pick ingredients up at the grocery store instead of from your backyard.  And let’s face it, we don’t all grow grape tomatoes and basil in the summer.  I do have basil in the summer.  Tried grape tomatoes once but the squirrels got every one.  Not worth it.  Last but not least, Pasta with Mashed Zucchini Sauce.  I love, love, love this.  If you like zucchini and Parmesan cheese you will too.  If you don’t like zucchini I would give one of the other pastas a try.

These I consider more traditional main course meals.  Follow the method for this Easy Oven-Baked Risotto and you can fill it with whatever veggies you want.  Just  make sure you switch out the chicken broth for veggie.  For my Shrimp & Grits you just need to omit the bacon and increase the olive oil by a tablespoon or two.  Seared Tuna with Niçoise Relish doesn’t need a tweak at all.  Dare I say, it is perfection.  Want to get fancy?  Make this Beurre Blanc sauce and drizzle over some fish.  Feeling lazy?  Make Naan Pizzas with the toppings of your choice.

Breakfast for dinner is always a hit in our house, especially when it is Waffles Of Insane Greatness.  

And don’t forget all desserts are Lent and vegetarian friendly.  Plus, I just updated the Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe.  The toffee sauce comes together better now and still tastes amazing.

There you go.  I hope this helps whenever you are looking for a meat-free meal.  I hope to have something new for you next week.  Fingers crossed.