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Fasting as a Family: Planning and Preparing Delicious Lenten Meals
Does every fasting day or season find you scanning your pantry shelves in a panic, wondering what in the world to cook for dinner? Help is on the way! Melissa Naasko, food blogger and mother of 11, will walk you through the process of stocking your Lenten pantry, planning meals, providing for tight budgets and dietary restrictions, and cooking easy, delicious, and varied fast-appropriate meals that both kids and adults will love. With worry about food a thing of the past, you'll be able to focus on the spiritual aspect of the fasts as never before. (Includes an extensive recipe section.)
- GenresFood
176 pages, Paperback
Published February 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2017
I thought I already reviewed this book, but apparently that review didn't go through! Here's a belated review for a book I've really come to love and use...
I was hesitant to buy this cookbook since I already have several Lenten cookbooks that frankly leave something to be desired (mostly because they tend to feature recipes that are high in carbs and generally not very appealing). However, when I was at Antiochian Village this summer, I could not pass up the opportunity to buy it because I realized several of the recipes might be a hit with my husband :) I'm glad I did, because this book has become a vital staple on my cookbook shelf. It's useful not only for the recipes, but also for Melissa's expert advice on cooking tips and stocking the pantry, as well as her experiences cooking for a large family and accomodating food allergies. It's a lot of multi-faceted culinary wisdom packed into a small book!
In the months since I purchased the cookbook, I have made numerous recipes in it and have always found them to be tasty and relatively simple. A handful of the recipes have become part of our regular repertoire of fasting-day meals.
In particular, the book introduced me to using smoked oysters during fasts as an inexpensive and nutrient-rich protein. Honestly, oysters gross me out (they still do), but I've long been advised to eat them to alleviate my chronic / recurring bouts of anemia (oysters are a rich source of iron). Melissa's smoked oyster pate is not only tasty, but I forget I'm even eating oysters! Instead, I think I'm eating some kind of fancy smoky cheese spread :) It's not currently a fast, and I have a container of it in our fridge just because. I--and my hemoglobin counts--thank Melissa!
I have recommended the book to numerous friends who are looking for practical ideas for fasting seasons and will continue to do so. Not all of the recipes will appeal to everyone ("breakfast spaghetti" is not my thing), but in general the book is an incredibly helpful resource!
I was hesitant to buy this cookbook since I already have several Lenten cookbooks that frankly leave something to be desired (mostly because they tend to feature recipes that are high in carbs and generally not very appealing). However, when I was at Antiochian Village this summer, I could not pass up the opportunity to buy it because I realized several of the recipes might be a hit with my husband :) I'm glad I did, because this book has become a vital staple on my cookbook shelf. It's useful not only for the recipes, but also for Melissa's expert advice on cooking tips and stocking the pantry, as well as her experiences cooking for a large family and accomodating food allergies. It's a lot of multi-faceted culinary wisdom packed into a small book!
In the months since I purchased the cookbook, I have made numerous recipes in it and have always found them to be tasty and relatively simple. A handful of the recipes have become part of our regular repertoire of fasting-day meals.
In particular, the book introduced me to using smoked oysters during fasts as an inexpensive and nutrient-rich protein. Honestly, oysters gross me out (they still do), but I've long been advised to eat them to alleviate my chronic / recurring bouts of anemia (oysters are a rich source of iron). Melissa's smoked oyster pate is not only tasty, but I forget I'm even eating oysters! Instead, I think I'm eating some kind of fancy smoky cheese spread :) It's not currently a fast, and I have a container of it in our fridge just because. I--and my hemoglobin counts--thank Melissa!
I have recommended the book to numerous friends who are looking for practical ideas for fasting seasons and will continue to do so. Not all of the recipes will appeal to everyone ("breakfast spaghetti" is not my thing), but in general the book is an incredibly helpful resource!
May 23, 2017
I am pretty sure that I own all the Lenten cookbooks, and this is by far my favorite. Naasko opens with conversation on how to stock a pantry, and how to prepare in advance for nights when you just don't have the time/energy/creativity to pull together a meal. She knows all my weaknesses, and offers me answers that will actually shore me up where I need it! The back of the book is full of amazing recipes that have made my own Lenten experience so much better. Here's the bottom line: I am giving up less often because of this book! I highly recommend it, whether you cook for a family or for yourself.
December 13, 2018
Though not exactly a cookbook, this is a useful kitchen reference. Most of the book is taken up with how to effectively stock a pantry, planning ideas, and notes on substitutions for common food allergies. For the home cook looking to serve a lot of people, it's valuable. For single, apartment-dwelling me, somewhat less so.
The back of the book does have a handful of recipes, which I've found hit-or-miss. Like many vegan cookbooks, these recipes tend to call for ingredients like "nutritional yeast," which isn't easy to track down. Given large yields and a lack of illustrations, together with unappetizing names ('breakfast spaghetti'), be sure to bring your best sense of adventure to the cooking process.
As for the binding, the paperback edition does need some coaxing to lay flat in the kitchen.
The back of the book does have a handful of recipes, which I've found hit-or-miss. Like many vegan cookbooks, these recipes tend to call for ingredients like "nutritional yeast," which isn't easy to track down. Given large yields and a lack of illustrations, together with unappetizing names ('breakfast spaghetti'), be sure to bring your best sense of adventure to the cooking process.
As for the binding, the paperback edition does need some coaxing to lay flat in the kitchen.
March 2, 2026
I'm only in my first full year of being a practicing Orthodox Christian but I would say even through the year before of attempting to fast during Lent and put forth a good effort, this book is the most comprehensive explanation of how to plan a pantry and get fast-friendly food on the table for you and your family. I also appreciate it even more so because the author takes great care to explain substitutions for different food allergies, of which my husband has many. She also goes into detail about the spiritual meaning behind the fast (a forward from a priest). It just lays it out really well for you and demystifies many substitutions and vegan ingredients. If you've been looking for that magic resource to make you less panicked and more organized during Lent, this is the one to buy. Christ is Risen!
June 9, 2022
Got it for the recipes during Lent, also has some good thoughts on the Orthodox fast.
February 14, 2024
The Eastern fast seasons are newer to my family. This book made it so much less intimidating and has me looking forward to the Great Fast, next week.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews