This is embarrassingly easy- but it is what is waiting for us after church services this evening:
Peel and parboil 6 carrots and 8 potatoes.
In a crockpot set to 'high,' place one large can of diced tomatoes with juice.
Peel and crush one full head of garlic; place in crockpot.
Put carrots and potatoes in crockpot. Add chopped celery if you have it.
Add half a bag of frozen pearl onions (or one large diced onion) in crockpot. Stir.
A few hours later, turn to low and add half a bag each of frozen peas (or green beans) and corn (I like lots of color in my stew).
Next, add about 10 oz. of chopped fresh mushrooms or a can of mushrooms if that is what is on hand (if the family likes them).
Go to the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
When you get home, add some vegetable bullion to taste and any freshly chopped herbs you have on hand- at least fresh parsley. Put salt and pepper on the table along with 'Red Hot.'
Have the kids set the table, adding bread with hummus (to stay vegan) or egg salad (to stay meatless) and maybe pickles along with peaches or applesauce for dessert.
Say your prayers and enjoy a very easy meal.
in the Lenten desert- but with the hope of Easter!
PRAYER BEFORE MEALS
The poor shall eat and be filled, and they that seek the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live for ever and ever. O Christ God, bless + the food and drink of Your servants for You are holy always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER MEALS
We thank You, Christ our God, for You have satisfied us with the good things of Your earth. Do not deprive us of Your heavenly kingdom but as You appeared to Your disciples, O Savior, granting them peace-come also to us and save us. Lord have mercy (Three times) Give the blessing. Blessed is our God who, through His grace and loving kindness, is merciful to us and nourishes us from the abundance of His gifts, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Is the prayer before meals for priests only or am I misunderstanding the cross indication?
ReplyDeleteAlice- oops! Yes- just do the first half of the prayer
ReplyDeleteSo a layperson doesn't even say the second half of the prayer? Here in America we Latins generally say "Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts..." Whenever I've eaten with a priest or a deacon, he has made the Sign of the Cross over the food but said the same prayer. I'm just curious because being a Roman Catholic who works for a Lutheran congregation (Missouri Synod) and has in-laws who attend a Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish, we have had some hilarious prayer clashes, but I haven't heard this Grace. Yet.
ReplyDeleteAlice- I guess it would depend on intention- a layperson blesses in a different way- in any case- we say the entire prayer (and the after meal prayer) like this when husband isn't there- I just don't make a 'blessing' with my hand- just invoking God's blessing on the meal- if that makes sense. If it is confusing, then I would suggest doing only the first half- we also say the Our Father before meals
ReplyDeleteyummy! crockpots are fabulous!
ReplyDelete-little sister F
next experiment: tofu with some barbecue sauce in a crockpot. I am hoping the tofu will slowly absorb the barbecue ---the tofu was free from a gleaners' box, so I feel a bit free to try something- hope the kids will eat it
ReplyDeleteWonderful recipe, I love the crockpot. Could you please do me a favor and just add the link back to the recipe link up. Thank you!!! : )
ReplyDeleteNeed this and want this.....I need to use the crockpot more. Thanks for the recipe. Yum!
ReplyDeleteWe so wish we could make it to a Liturgy of Presanctified gifts. We are a two hour drive from the Byzantine church. We only get to have Byzantine Liturgy once or twice a month.
ReplyDelete