Greek Clean Monday Recipes: A Tradition of Freshness and Flavour
- Amanda Harrison
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
Clean Monday, or Kathara Deftera, marks the beginning of Lent in Greece—a day of cleansing, renewal, and delicious traditions. It's a celebration rooted in simple, wholesome ingredients and Mediterranean flavours. Traditionally, Greek families gather to enjoy plant based meals, unleavened bread, and fresh produce. Here’s how you can embrace this tradition with a selection of Greek Clean Monday recipes that are both nutritious and satisfying.
1. Lagana Bread (Traditional Greek Flatbread)
Lagana is a must have staple for Clean Monday. A soft, slightly sweet flatbread that’s typically sprinkled with sesame seeds. I have seen this sold in local turkish shops.
Ingredients:
360g/ 3 cups plain flour
1 packet dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
Sesame seeds
Instructions:
Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes.
In a bowl, mix flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead until smooth.
Let the dough rise for 1 hour, then roll it out into a flat oval shape.
Place on a baking sheet, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 25-30 minutes.
2. Greek Fava Dip (Yellow Split Pea Puree)
This creamy and flavourful dip is a staple of Greek Clean Monday meals.
Ingredients:
225g/ 1 cup dried yellow split peas
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper
Optional: capers or caramelised onions for garnish
Instructions:
Rinse the split peas and boil them with the onion and garlic until soft.
Blend the mixture with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Serve with Lagana bread or fresh veggies.
3. Greek Bean Salad (Fasolada Salata)
A hearty salad made with beans, fresh vegetables, and a simple dressing.
Ingredients:
170g/ 2 cups cooked white beans (or canned, rinsed)
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Salt and oregano to taste
Instructions:
Combine the beans, vegetables, and parsley in a bowl.
Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, and oregano, then toss with the salad.
4. Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
These stuffed grape leaves are a labour of love, filled with rice, herbs, and olive oil. Alternatively they can be found in Lidl.
Ingredients:
20 grape leaves (jarred or fresh, blanched) or use collard greens, swiss chard, cabbage leaves or fig leaves
195g/ 1 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
Juice of 2 lemons
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Sauté the onion in olive oil, then mix with rice, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Place a small amount of filling on each grape leaf and roll tightly.
Arrange the rolls in a pot, add lemon juice and water to cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
5. Halva (Semolina Pudding)
This traditional Greek dessert is sweetened with honey and flavoured with cinnamon and nuts.
Ingredients:
168g/ 1 cup semolina
118ml/ ½ cup olive oil
340g/ 1 cup honey (or sugar)
710ml/ 3 cups water
1 tsp cinnamon
50g/ ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a pot and toast the semolina until golden.
In a separate pot, dissolve sugar or honey in water and bring to a boil.
Slowly add the syrup to the semolina, stirring constantly.
Cook until thickened, then fold in nuts. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.
6. Taramosalata (Fish Roe Dip)
A classic Clean Monday dip made with tarama (fish roe), olive oil, and bread or potatoes.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp fish roe
4 slices stale bread, crust removed
118ml/ ½ cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 small onion (optional)
Instructions:
Soak the bread in water, then squeeze out excess moisture.
Blend the fish roe, bread, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth.
Serve with Lagana bread or raw veggies.
7. Fresh Olive and Herb Salad
A light and zesty salad that highlights the Mediterranean’s best ingredients.
Ingredients:
250g/ 1 cup mixed olives
150g/ 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh oregano
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss with olive oil and lemon juice.
Closing Thoughts
Clean Monday is a beautiful way to celebrate Greek traditions while embracing a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. These recipes honour the simplicity and bold flavours of Mediterranean cuisine, making them perfect for Clean Monday or any day you want to eat clean and fresh.
Kali Sarakosti (Happy Lent) to those celebrating!
Which recipe will you try first? Let me know in the comments below.
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