menu planning for the Bahai Fast
hey guys. if you haven't read in a previous post, i am going to be participating this year in the 19 Day Baha'i Fast. it's my first fast in 5 years, since i have either been pregnant or nursing for the past 5 years. but this year i am not! so i can fast! i am both excited and a little nervous. i almost always do a weekly menu plan for our dinners, but since i am going to be fasting with little kids, i feel like the days will be a little more challenging. so i went ahead and made a list of all the dinners i want to make during those 19 days.
in previous years when i wasn't fasting, i had thought about different ways that i could participate in the fast without actually fasting. so some of that was being very intentional with prayer, i omitted certain foods, or i would abstain from mindless snacking throughout the day. another way was to step up my dinner game. since hubby was the only one fasting, i wanted to make really yummy dinners. and as far as i remember, the dinners were pretty good. there was this one lamb dish that i made that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. the experience was great because i tried to go outside our normal meals and prepare special dinners more often. it was fun for me because i tried things that i hadn't before.
so because that was such a great experience, i want to do that again this year. at first i was thinking, i would just make meals that were easy and quick, and perhaps use the slow-cooker a lot. but then i changed my mind. i still want to have delicious and special dinners during the fast. maybe not every night, depending on how the day goes, but most nights if possible. after not eating all day i will look forward to a nice meal. i am not planning much for the month of march, we will likely keep our activities pretty low key. and it seems like a lot of the time will focus on food, haha. feeding the kids, starting to cook dinner early so that it's ready in time for sunset, and allows the extra time i will probably need since i'll be moving a little slower, and then eating dinner, then maybe having some dessert, then preparing for breakfast the next morning, then eating that breakfast before the sun comes up. you get the idea. but i'm excited to slow down a bit and be thoughtful and intentional about food prep.
at least that's how it goes in my head. in practice it may be very different, hahah! so i wanted to share the meal plan i have for the fast and then some other recipes i would like to make! this is tentative and completely subject to change depending on how i actually feel during the long days. but here's my plan.
these are the dinners i'd like to make during the fast:
-zuppa toscana, biscuits, fruit salad
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/zuppa-toscana-a-la-olive-garden/
-asparagus and mushroom risotto, baked cod
https://smittenkitchen.com/2007/01/someday-my-spring-will-come/
-bacon wrapped chicken tenders, salad with grapes and avocado
https://www.marthastewart.com/326882/bacon-wrapped-chicken-tenders
-black bean patties with corn relish and avocado cream sauce, roasted corn salad
http://everydayannie.com/2012/01/23/black-bean-patties-with-corn-relish-and-avocado-cream-sauce/
-greek mac n cheese, cut up fruits
https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Greek-Mac-and-Cheese
-balsamic skirt steak, polenta and roasted tomatoes
https://www.marthastewart.com/313695/balsamic-skirt-steak-with-polenta-and-ro?crlt.pid=camp.6REejQs8tDv
-french dip, baked french fries, salad
https://neighborfoodblog.com/2014/01/slow-cooker-beef-brisket-french-dip-sandwiches-sundaysupper.html
-turmeric chicken with sumac and lime
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2013/04/turmeric-chicken-with-sumac-and-lime-from-the-new-persian-kitchen-recipe.html
-persian kotlet
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-04-19T15:56:00-04:00&max-results=5&start=55&by-date=false
-persian salad olive
http://www.mypersiankitchen.com/salad-olivieh/
-herb roasted salmon with fingerling potatoes
https://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/quick-and-easy-salmon-recipe?utm_term=.egRvAkNz3#.mpqkm4x8d
-seared pork chops with roasted grapes
http://bevcooks.com/2013/04/seared-pork-with-roasted-grapes/
-walnut stuffed chicken roulades
https://www.marthastewart.com/1049856/walnut-stuffed-chicken-roulades
-flank steak salad with chimichurri (i usually also serve this with small fresh mozzarella balls that i put salt and pepper on)
https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/california-steak-salad-with-chimichurri-dressing/?utm_content=buffer95ad1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_campaign=buffer
-ravioli with saluted asparagus and walnuts
https://greenvalleykitchen.com/ravioli-sauteed-asparagus-walnuts/
-pasta with pistachio sauce
https://www.delallo.com/recipes/pasta-pistachio-sauce/
-greek chicken gyros
https://www.recipetineats.com/greek-chicken-gyros-with-tzatziki/
-roasted chicken with adas polo (i don't use this adas pro recipe, because i just watched my mother in law make it and wrote everything down, but this one is pretty similar)
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/adas-polo-persian-rice-with-lentils-430878
and i didn't use a recipe for the roasted chicken, but this one is great:
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/perfect-roast-chicken
-persian spiced lamb shanks (this recipe is by far one of my most favorite ever)
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016943-persian-spiced-lamb-shanks
-khoresh gheimeh, green salad (same as above, i haven't used this recipe because i just learned from my MIL but this one seems similar)
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/2010/03/khoresh-ghaymeh-traditional-iranian.html
-khoresh badenjan (same disclosure as above)
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/2009/03/eggplant-stew-khoresh-bademjan.html
and then here are some of the breakfast things i want to try to make:
-baked banana oatmeal cups
http://www.themerchantbaker.com/baked-banana-oatmeal-cups/
-egg breakfast muffins
https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/2015/03/scrambled-egg-breakfast-muffins/
-pb&j stuffed french toast (or you could do a pb&j waffle sammich)
http://www.simplyscratch.com/2014/04/peanut-butter-and-jelly-stuffed-french-toast.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+simplyscratch/wPkJ+(*simply+scratch*)
-monte cristo
https://shewearsmanyhats.com/monte-cristo/
-ham, cheese and spinach puffs
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255931191301935817/
-pancake poppers
https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/pancake-poppers.html
and then of course i want dessert! so here are some that i have had my eye on making:
-caramel budino
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/caramel-budino-with-salted-caramel-sauce
-strawberry yogurt cake
http://topkitchenmagazine.blogspot.com/2015/03/fresh-strawberry-yogurt-cake.html
-berry hand pies
https://www.completelydelicious.com/blueberry-hand-pies/
-chocolate pistachio biscotti
https://www.marthastewart.com/356047/chocolate-pistachio-biscotti?xsc=SOC_PIN_chocolatebiscotti
-butter pecan cake
http://laurassweetspot.com/2012/05/09/toasted-butter-pecan-cake/
-eclairs
http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/bake-it-better/2012/02/secrets-to-making-eclairs/
-victoria sandwich
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/marys_victoria_sandwich_58140
so there's my plan. i'll make another post with the the actual meals i made this first week of the fast and how i liked them.
if you have a meal that you made during the fast that was delicious, then please feel free to share the recipe!
in previous years when i wasn't fasting, i had thought about different ways that i could participate in the fast without actually fasting. so some of that was being very intentional with prayer, i omitted certain foods, or i would abstain from mindless snacking throughout the day. another way was to step up my dinner game. since hubby was the only one fasting, i wanted to make really yummy dinners. and as far as i remember, the dinners were pretty good. there was this one lamb dish that i made that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. the experience was great because i tried to go outside our normal meals and prepare special dinners more often. it was fun for me because i tried things that i hadn't before.
so because that was such a great experience, i want to do that again this year. at first i was thinking, i would just make meals that were easy and quick, and perhaps use the slow-cooker a lot. but then i changed my mind. i still want to have delicious and special dinners during the fast. maybe not every night, depending on how the day goes, but most nights if possible. after not eating all day i will look forward to a nice meal. i am not planning much for the month of march, we will likely keep our activities pretty low key. and it seems like a lot of the time will focus on food, haha. feeding the kids, starting to cook dinner early so that it's ready in time for sunset, and allows the extra time i will probably need since i'll be moving a little slower, and then eating dinner, then maybe having some dessert, then preparing for breakfast the next morning, then eating that breakfast before the sun comes up. you get the idea. but i'm excited to slow down a bit and be thoughtful and intentional about food prep.
at least that's how it goes in my head. in practice it may be very different, hahah! so i wanted to share the meal plan i have for the fast and then some other recipes i would like to make! this is tentative and completely subject to change depending on how i actually feel during the long days. but here's my plan.
these are the dinners i'd like to make during the fast:
-zuppa toscana, biscuits, fruit salad
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/zuppa-toscana-a-la-olive-garden/
-asparagus and mushroom risotto, baked cod
https://smittenkitchen.com/2007/01/someday-my-spring-will-come/
-bacon wrapped chicken tenders, salad with grapes and avocado
https://www.marthastewart.com/326882/bacon-wrapped-chicken-tenders
-black bean patties with corn relish and avocado cream sauce, roasted corn salad
http://everydayannie.com/2012/01/23/black-bean-patties-with-corn-relish-and-avocado-cream-sauce/
-greek mac n cheese, cut up fruits
https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Greek-Mac-and-Cheese
-balsamic skirt steak, polenta and roasted tomatoes
https://www.marthastewart.com/313695/balsamic-skirt-steak-with-polenta-and-ro?crlt.pid=camp.6REejQs8tDv
-french dip, baked french fries, salad
https://neighborfoodblog.com/2014/01/slow-cooker-beef-brisket-french-dip-sandwiches-sundaysupper.html
-turmeric chicken with sumac and lime
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2013/04/turmeric-chicken-with-sumac-and-lime-from-the-new-persian-kitchen-recipe.html
-persian kotlet
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-04-19T15:56:00-04:00&max-results=5&start=55&by-date=false
-persian salad olive
http://www.mypersiankitchen.com/salad-olivieh/
-herb roasted salmon with fingerling potatoes
https://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/quick-and-easy-salmon-recipe?utm_term=.egRvAkNz3#.mpqkm4x8d
-seared pork chops with roasted grapes
http://bevcooks.com/2013/04/seared-pork-with-roasted-grapes/
-walnut stuffed chicken roulades
https://www.marthastewart.com/1049856/walnut-stuffed-chicken-roulades
-flank steak salad with chimichurri (i usually also serve this with small fresh mozzarella balls that i put salt and pepper on)
https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/california-steak-salad-with-chimichurri-dressing/?utm_content=buffer95ad1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_campaign=buffer
-ravioli with saluted asparagus and walnuts
https://greenvalleykitchen.com/ravioli-sauteed-asparagus-walnuts/
-pasta with pistachio sauce
https://www.delallo.com/recipes/pasta-pistachio-sauce/
-greek chicken gyros
https://www.recipetineats.com/greek-chicken-gyros-with-tzatziki/
-roasted chicken with adas polo (i don't use this adas pro recipe, because i just watched my mother in law make it and wrote everything down, but this one is pretty similar)
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/adas-polo-persian-rice-with-lentils-430878
and i didn't use a recipe for the roasted chicken, but this one is great:
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/perfect-roast-chicken
-persian spiced lamb shanks (this recipe is by far one of my most favorite ever)
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016943-persian-spiced-lamb-shanks
-khoresh gheimeh, green salad (same as above, i haven't used this recipe because i just learned from my MIL but this one seems similar)
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/2010/03/khoresh-ghaymeh-traditional-iranian.html
-khoresh badenjan (same disclosure as above)
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/2009/03/eggplant-stew-khoresh-bademjan.html
and then here are some of the breakfast things i want to try to make:
-baked banana oatmeal cups
http://www.themerchantbaker.com/baked-banana-oatmeal-cups/
-egg breakfast muffins
https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/2015/03/scrambled-egg-breakfast-muffins/
-pb&j stuffed french toast (or you could do a pb&j waffle sammich)
http://www.simplyscratch.com/2014/04/peanut-butter-and-jelly-stuffed-french-toast.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+simplyscratch/wPkJ+(*simply+scratch*)
-monte cristo
https://shewearsmanyhats.com/monte-cristo/
-ham, cheese and spinach puffs
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255931191301935817/
-pancake poppers
https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/pancake-poppers.html
and then of course i want dessert! so here are some that i have had my eye on making:
-caramel budino
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/caramel-budino-with-salted-caramel-sauce
-strawberry yogurt cake
http://topkitchenmagazine.blogspot.com/2015/03/fresh-strawberry-yogurt-cake.html
-berry hand pies
https://www.completelydelicious.com/blueberry-hand-pies/
-chocolate pistachio biscotti
https://www.marthastewart.com/356047/chocolate-pistachio-biscotti?xsc=SOC_PIN_chocolatebiscotti
-butter pecan cake
http://laurassweetspot.com/2012/05/09/toasted-butter-pecan-cake/
-eclairs
http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/bake-it-better/2012/02/secrets-to-making-eclairs/
-victoria sandwich
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/marys_victoria_sandwich_58140
so there's my plan. i'll make another post with the the actual meals i made this first week of the fast and how i liked them.
if you have a meal that you made during the fast that was delicious, then please feel free to share the recipe!
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