Lent-a-licious

I gave up chocolate for Lent this year. It's been a healthy sacrifice. What is more meaningful that not eating chocolate this Lenten season is answering the questions I get about Lent once I've turned down a chocolate treat. The questions have been anything related to why I gave up chocolate to what Lent is, exactly. Let's do a rundown of Lent, top ten style.

1. Lent is a Christian tradition celebrated in the 40 (+/-) days leading up to Easter. The purpose behind lent is to prepare yourself for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (Holy Week) and his resurrection (Easter).

2. The 40 days of Lent correlate to the time Jesus spent in the desert before turning himself over to the authorities for his crucifixion.

3. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday is Fat Tuesday- the last big hoorah of Mardi Gras. The idea is that you get all the fun in before the Lenten season of sacrifice and prayer begins. Carnival is also a festival celebrated until Lent.

4. The idea of fasting during Lent has changed over time. Some places in a particular time period gave up meat or dairy, some both, some just fish. Catholics currently abstain from eating mammals (meat and poultry) on Fridays during Lent. (As in, fish are fair game.)

5. Protestants generally have a choice whether or not to observe Lent. For Catholics, this is a mandatory celebration. You have choices on sacrificing something you love (i.e., chocolate, doughnuts, Facebook) or taking on a new venture that brings you closer to God (i.e., devotional, charity work).

6. Palm Sunday is the 6th Sunday in Lent, the beginning of Holy Week. This is when Jesus came back from the desert.
7. The Wednesday during Holy Week is Spy Wednesday, the day when Judas spied on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene.

8. The Thursday during Hole Week is Maunday Thusday, the day of the last supper.

9. The Friday during Holy Week is Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified and buried.

10. Easter Sunday is the last day of Lent, the day Jesus rose from the dead. The end.


This year, my major Lenten shrimp creation is below. I think this is a really good one. You can make the pesto and prep the (fresh) shrimp the day before, to make it a faster made meal.


Shrimp Pesto a La Liv
1 pound shrimp peeled, leaving the heads on, and deveined - I like the big ones.
Pesto (see pesto)
GF Rice spaghetti cooked
juice of 1/2 lemon2 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon EVOO
salt and pepper to taste

You have two options. The first is to make the pesto ahead of time. The second is below.
1. Combine the shrimp, lemon juice, garlic, and salt/pepper to taste in a pyrex with the shrimps to marinate.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees while you are making your pesto.

3. Start the pasta and stick the shrimp in the oven.

4. Check on the shrimp after 15 minutes to see if they are done. (They are done when they are opaque). It may take up to 30 minutes for them to be fully cooked. 5. When everything is done, plate it like a pro and enjoy.