An Old Cookbook for Lent

Start getting those Lent meals planned!

Here’s a late 19th-century gem from England that I found scanned and uploaded one day: Cookery book for fasting and abstinence days.

Eel Pie for the very brave, and Macaroni Pie (baked Mac’n’Cheese) for the rest of us!

Although the variety of cookery books at present in circulation is very great, nevertheless I thought that a small one composed entirely of “maigre ” dishes might be useful, especially to Catholics, as during a long period of abstinence they become wearied of the monotony of their diet, and are ofttimes puzzled to know what to order.

I…have endeavoured to give a choice of savoury dishes, either of fish or vegetables, and to meet the difficulty of preparing these, and soups, without the addition of meat gravy, which in this country is so often thought indispensable.

Introduction, Cookery Book for Fasting and Abstinence Days

(By the way, “maigre” means free from meat or meat broth. We’d say vegetarian now, of course.)

I have had this post planned since last Spring 2021, long before the announcement of the new cookbook for Lent being published this year by Dr. Scott Hahn. Enjoy the old free book, even if you plan to buy the new one! Have a blessed and holy Lent!