Every year, it seems, dinner on Good Friday is a problem.

It’s a day of fast and abstinence and, following the Service of the Lord’s Passion, when it starts getting close to the dinner hour, I find myself getting a bit frayed around the edges. Now, that can lead to some reckless eating or a saintly exercise in patience.

This week’s Lenten recipe for fish soup offers a simple and hearty answer to the perennial problem. It’s easy enough to prepare but all of the work is really done a day earlier and the magical chemistry of food takes over and blends the flavors into a satisfying mélange.

The only thing left to do for dinner is cut up some fresh (or frozen) fish into bite-size pieces and put them in the soup pot as the soup is heating up. You could also use scallops or shrimp.

Lenten Fish Soup

4 cups stock or water

3 medium-sized carrots, diced

1 large onion, chopped

2 medium-sized potatoes, diced

¼ red bell pepper

½ cup frozen peas

1 can chopped tomatoes

2 tbs olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

½ tsp cayenne pepper

(1/2 tsp saffron, if you like)

1 tsp dried dill

1 tsp dried tarragon

1 tsp herbes de Provence

¾ lb cod cut in pieces

Begin by heating the oil in a soup pot and sautéing the onions and bell pepper. When the onions get soft, add the stock or water and bring to a boil.

Add the carrots and potatoes and bring to a boil again and let them cook 10 minutes. Add the peas and the tomatoes and the herbs and spices, bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, cover and let cool. Refrigerate.

Next day, while the soup is coming to a boil, cut up the piece of cod or other solid white fish, or cut up some scallops or peeled shrimp. When the soup has come to a boil, add the fish or seafood, turn down the heat to simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve with a salad and some hearty bread.

Let us pray:

God of all goodness, through the breaking of bread together you strengthen the bonds that unite us in love. Bless us and these your gifts. Grant that as we sit down together at table in joy and sincerity, we may always grow closer in the bonds of love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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See the rest of this year's Lenten recipes:

Now what am I going to do with all this tuna?

Homemade pizza is a classic Lenten meatless meal

Almost-fast food for Lent – salmon cakes with oven fries

Simple and scrumptious soup and salad for seniors and singles

Lenten Recipe: ‘Eggplant Patrice’ delivers taste and satisfaction

Sass up your catfish by adding sauce!