Lent is a meaningful time for many Filipinos, with meatless Fridays being a common tradition. While classic dishes like monggo, pinakbet, and laing are comforting staples, modern recipes can bring exciting new flavors to the table—all while staying budget-friendly. If you’re looking for affordable, easy-to-make meals, here are some creative ideas to explore:

1. Filipino-Style Mushroom Sisig

Mushrooms provide the same umami flavor and texture as pork, making them a great meat alternative for sisig.

Ingredients:

• 250g oyster mushrooms, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small chili, chopped
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp calamansi juice
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for a creamy version)
• 1 tbsp butter or oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat butter or oil in a pan and sauté garlic and onions until fragrant.
2. Add chopped mushrooms and cook until golden brown and slightly crispy.
3. Stir in soy sauce, calamansi juice, and chili. Cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and mix in mayonnaise, if preferred.
5. Serve on a sizzling plate, topped with more onions and calamansi on the side.

2. Plant-Based Pancit Canton with Mushrooms and Tofu

This modern take on pancit canton replaces meat with mushrooms and crispy tofu for a satisfying, flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• 200g pancit canton noodles
• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup tofu, cubed and fried
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• ½ cup cabbage, shredded
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (vegetarian version available)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 cup vegetable broth

Instructions:

1. In a pan, sauté garlic with a little oil. Add mushrooms and cook until browned.
2. Pour in vegetable broth, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add pancit canton noodles and cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
4. Toss in carrots, cabbage, and crispy tofu. Drizzle with sesame oil.
5. Serve hot with calamansi on the side.

3. Kamote & Malunggay Patties (Sweet Potato & Moringa Burgers)

A nutritious and modern alternative to meat patties using locally available ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed kamote (sweet potato)
• ½ cup malunggay leaves
• ½ cup flour or breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 egg (or flaxseed as a vegan alternative)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Cooking oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix mashed kamote, malunggay, onion, flour/breadcrumbs, and egg. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Shape into small patties and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry patties until golden brown on both sides.
4. Serve with a side of banana ketchup or garlic yogurt dip.

4. Ginataang Kalabasa with Chickpeas (Modern Veggie Stew)

Adding chickpeas to this classic dish gives extra protein while keeping it affordable and filling.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups kalabasa (squash), diced
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 1 cup of coconut milk
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic and onions until fragrant.
2. Add kalabasa and cook for a few minutes before pouring in coconut milk.
3. Simmer until squash is tender, then stir in cooked chickpeas.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Making Lent Delicious and Accessible

Observing Lent doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or spending more on meat alternatives. With simple ingredients and a creative twist on traditional dishes, you can enjoy hearty, modern meals without breaking the budget. Whether you’re sizzling up mushroom sisig, tossing pancit canton with tofu, or making kamote patties, these meals make Lent both meaningful and satisfying.