It is traditionally the day that we try to get out and fly kites, spend the time with family, and oddly enough, have shellfish. We introduce to our family the Kyra Sarakosti cookies that we made. She is representative of the Lenten period. She has seven legs -- one to represent each week of fasting. As the fast continues, we break off a leg each week, therefore keeping a calendar of how many weeks of Great Lent, in a sense.
So, we are planning the Clean Monday meal -- Koulouma. There is no oil consumption today, no meat, no dairy, no animal products. One thing that is on the table for every year, CleanMonday is Halva. It is a sesame treat that can satiate a sweet tooth, and eaten during fasting times. We usually buy the Krinos Halva because it is tasty, easy to find, and quite reasonably priced. It's available in different flavours, too (traditional, marble, with pistachios, with almonds). We buy the different flavours to satisfy everyone in the family and the guests we have invited.
It's unusual to start with dessert, but sometimes you just have to! For the rest of the meal, we like to stay traditional in our menu and our choices. So, we have the lagana. This is the flat bread that is only eaten for Clean Monday. In the past, we have made our own, but this year, time flew past that we did not have a chance. So, we'll stop at one of the bakeries and buy a loaf or two. If you wanted to make your own, today or next year, there are several nice recipes for lagana available on the internet. Here are a couple of easy to follow, good tasting links: Lagana 1, Lagana 2
Roasted and pickled red peppers -- in a brine, topped with oregano
Pickled Artichoke hearts (from a jar)
Steamed shrimp tossed with pepper, lemon juice, and salt.
Lupina -- nice snack food, easy, and out of the can.
Boiled new potatoes
Hummus, no oil, made with red peppers (pictured above). Use the red pepper juice instead of oil.
Meyer Lemons to squeeze on everything!
Taromasalata -- traditional and yummy.
Olives stuffed with garlic, with hot peppers.
Lightly steamed cauliflower and broccoli.
Some black olives, washed, and tossed with ground oregano and vinegar.
Revithosoupa -- chick pea soup with onions and garlic.
The meal.
Fasting foods that fill you up enjoyed with family.
We also had a nice variety of toursi -- pickled vegetables in vinegar; some boiled shrimp, boiled potatoes, steamed veggies, and one of the easiest tastiest soups -- revithosoupa (chick pea soup). We think it is easy because it is just a few ingredients. Some will prefer the Tahini soup, which is tahini (sesame paste) with water and a squeeze of lemon at the end. But, with the Revithosoupa, there is some more texture, some heartiness to it. We think that is an important factor for today's meal, since it is the only one all day.
When making revithosoupa, it is easy to omit the oil for today. Otherwise, use oil when sautéing the onions.
We wish you all a Good Lent , Καλή Σαρακοστή. May God be with you today and every day through your journey.
Taken from Wikipedia:
The theme of Clean Monday is set by the Old Testament reading appointed to be read at the Sixth Hour on this day (Isaiah 1:1-20), which says, in part:
Wash yourselves and ye shall be clean; put away the wicked ways from your souls before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, consider the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Come then, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow; and though they be red like crimson, I will make them white as wool (vv. 16–8).
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