7 Kid-Friendly Fish and Veggie Recipes for Lent

Though abstinence is not required for children (see a Lenten guide here), we've chosen recipes that are kid-friendly so you don't have to you don’t have to cook two kinds of ulam. And the whole family get their weekly serving of fish (see recommended serving sizes here). 

1. Bangus Loaf with Creamy Mustard Gravy


IMAGE Yummy.ph
An updated take on rellenong bangus, this loaf version of the Pinoy dish is a lot less intimadating to eat for kids. The recipe calls for chicken stock, but don't worry. According to the Loyola School of Theology of Ateneo de Manila University and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, liquid foods and condiments made from meat (e.g. gravy, sauces and stock) are permitted.   

Makes 8 servings

1 large milkfish (bangus), scaled and gutted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, minced
2 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing pan
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
2 egg, beaten slightly
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 cup cream of mushroom soup
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup cream
1 teaspoon nutmeg
salt

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph.


2. Fish Fillet with Parsley and Garlic Recipe 


IMAGE Jun Pinzon/Yummy.ph
Add this recipe to your regular roundup of dishes. It's easy, quick and you'll probably already have all the ingredients on any given day. They're great for baon, too. You can use any white-fleshed fish or tilapia fillet, and pair with crunchy veggie sticks. 

Makes 4 servings

1/2 kilo fish, use fillets
1/2 cup parsley sprigs, finely chopped
1 table spoon garlic, minced
salt
1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph.

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3. Tuna Burger Recipe 


IMAGE Erwin Obcemea/Yummy.ph
Why not mix things up and whip up a fish burger for the kids? They might be more willing to try fish if it comes in the familiar form of a patty in between buns. This recipe contains eggs which are permitted as well, according to abstinence laws. 

Makes 6 servings

370 grams canned tuna in oil, flaked
1/2 cup herb crackers, finely crushed
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 pieces garlic, finely chopped
2 pieces garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons pickle relish, drained
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
2 pieces egg
salt
6 large pandesal

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph.


4. Tuna Lumpiang Shanghai Recipe


IMAGE Erwin Obcemea/Yummy.ph
Lumpia is easily one of the most kid-friendly Pinoy ulam. Change it up a bit and swap the pork filling with tuna and a creamy dip. This also has carrots, cabbage and potatoes so you get a bit of veggies in there too. 

Makes 20 pieces

1 cup potatoes, grated, in water
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup carrot, grated
1 cup cabbage, shredded
2 cans canned tuna in water, drained
20 pieces lumpia wrapper
salt
oil, for sauteing

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph.

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5. Crab Pasta Recipe 


IMAGE Yummy.ph
Sometimes you have to conceal the seafood to get the kids to try a fish dish. This pasta recipe combines crab meat and a cream-based pasta sauce. They won't really know it's seafood at first sight but they might just give you kisses once they've taken a liking to it. 

Makes 4 servings

500 grams linguine noodles
olive oil, for sauteing
1 white onion, peeled and chopped finely
1 800 gram can tomatoes, chopped
250 grams crabmeat, canned or cooked
150 ml all-purpose cream
black pepper
dill, leaves picked
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed loosely, plus more garnish

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph.  


6. Vegetable Tempura


IMAGE Toto Labrador/Yummy.ph
Another option for Good Friday is to go meatless. Worried the kids may not like it? Make a crunchy tempura recipe that's tasty and fun to eat. This one makes use of sweet potatoes, carrots, onions and green beans. Recipe for dipping sauce is included too. Utensils are optional. 

Makes 4 servings

1/2 cup sweet potato (kamote), peeled and julienned
1/2 cup carrot, peeled and julienned
1/2 cup white onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1/3 cup long beans (sitaw), thinly sliced
1 to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, enough to lightly coat vegetables
salt, to taste
vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water, ice-cold
1/2 cup japanese soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 small white radish (labanos), grated

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph. 


7. Easy Vegetable Minestrone


IMAGE Yummy.ph
All you need is one pot for this healthy Italian soup. A pasta dish, it's chock-full of vegetables and can be a hearty meal on its own. The recipe includes bacon, so you can skip that for Good Friday. It will still be deliciously flavorful without it!

Makes 4 servings

1/2 table spoon olive oil
1/3 cup bacon, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped into ½-inch cubes
15 pieces long beans (sitaw), sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 can canned diced tomatoes
3 cups vegetable stock
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 leaf bay leaf
salt
1/2 cup white beans
1/2 medium zucchini, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup elbow macaroni, cooked
parmesan cheese
basil leaves, for garnish

Recipe instructions are at Yummy.ph.

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