Category Archives: Side dishes

Potato dishes, vegetables etc

Cheap & Easy, Recipes, Side dishes, Vegan on a Budget

Air Fryer Spicy Potatoes

Serves 2

Photo of a grill tray containing air-fried potatoes

Approximate cost of ingredients less than £1 as long as you use the oil and flavourings in this and other dishes regularly.

Ingredients

• 350 grams (g) potatoes

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) dried oregano

• 1 tsp garlic granules (or 2 crushed/chopped garlic cloves)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp chili flakes

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tsp olive oil (cheaper oil will do!)

Method

• Peel and cut the potatoes in small cubes.

• Wash them and put them in a mixing bowl, along with the spices and olive oil and mix well.

• Add them in the air-fryer and cook for 25-28 minutes at 180°C. Turn them half way through.

You can also cook this dish in an oven. Just amend the cooking time to 35 minutes approximately.

This recipe is based on one by Natlicious Food (https://natliciousfood.com/). You can view the original recipe at https://natliciousfood.com/recipes/spicy-air-fryer-potatoes.

Potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates, making them a good energy provider. Potatoes are also rich in dietary fibre. This helps to maintain digestive health and can aid in lowering cholesterol levels. They contain a variety of vitamins and minerals including high levels of vitamin C (important for immune system function, skin health, and iron absorption) and significant amounts of potassium. Potassium can help regulate blood pressure. Potatoes also provide vitamin B6, a vitamin crucial for brain function and mood regulation.

Cheap & Easy, Recipes, Side dishes, Vegan on a Budget

Air-fryer Swede

Serves 2

Approximate cost of ingredients less than £1 as long as you use the oil and flavourings in this and other dishes regularly.

Swede is packed with vitamin C, E, K and B6 as well as being a good source of manganese, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, carotene and fibre. Its high beta-carotene content helps the body absorb vitamin C more effectively too.

Ingredients

  • 350 grams (g) swede
  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) dried oregano (optional)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp rapeseed, sunflower or vegetable oil

Method

  • Peel and cut the swede into small cubes.
  • Place in a mixing bowl along with the oil, salt, pepper and optional herbs and spices
  • Mix well.
  • Spread the coated swede in the air-fryer trays.
  • Cook for 25-30 minutes at 200°C. Turn them half way through.

You can also cook this dish in an oven. Just amend the cooking time to 35 minutes approximately.  Potatoes can be used in this recipe too.

Cheap & Easy, Festive, Recipes, Side dishes, Starters and soups, Vegan on a Budget

Chestnut and bean pâté

Serves 4-6
Cost £3

Ingredients

1 small white onion
1 pinch salt
240g of pre cooked white beans(cannellini or butter)
4 garlic cloves
180 g pre-cooked chestnuts
2 sprigs of rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon of dried
2 sprigs thyme or 1/2 teaspoon of dried
2 tbsp white wine or cider vinegar
4 tbsp non-dairy butter or oil (parsley oil would be good if available)

Instructions

Dice the onion and add to a hot pan with a splash of oil and a pinch of salt.

Sauté the onions until they are just translucent.

Add the garlic (crushed) and the pre-cooked chestnuts (also roughly chopped). Cook these with the onion and mushrooms for a further 2-3 minutes.

Remove the leaves from the sprigs of rosemary and thyme and add to the pan for a few brief minutes until they are releasing their aroma.

Add the drained beans and stir through and cook for 1 minute.

Take the pan off the heat and let it cool for a few moments before adding to a blender (a stick blender could also be used) Do not add the liquid to the blender at this stage.

Turn the blender on to its lowest setting and let it run for a few minutes until a paste begins to form. Add the vinegar and a little bit of veg stock or bean juice if it is struggling to blend. Avoid adding too much or your pâté will be too wet.

Gradually increase the speed on your blender until the desired texture has been achieved.

While the pâté is still hot, spoon it into ramekins or cups.

Melt the non-dairy butter and then pour a thin layer over the pâté. Or alternatively leave out the butter and drizzle with parsley oil after cooled.

Cover the ramekins and leave them to cool completely before storing in the fridge until ready to serve.

Serve with crusty bread, crackers or raw carrots and celery sticks.

Cheap & Easy, Recipes, Side dishes, Vegan on a Budget

Potato Salad

Inspired by a Middle Eastern recipe & a variation of the Mashed Microwaved Potatoes recipe

Serves 4 as a side dish.

Cost £1.20 or less

Ingredients

  • 500 grams (approximately) potatoes 
  • Sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil to taste
  • Pinch of salt or 1 tablespoon of shoyu/soy sauce
  • Juice of half a lemon 
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Optional: 4 medium or 8 cherry tomatoes

Method

  1. Peel or thoroughly scrub the potatoes in water.
  2. Cut into chunks about the size of a golf ball.
  3. Crush or finely chop the garlic.
  4. Place the cut potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl & cover with a microwave-safe plate. (No water required).
  5. Cook in the microwave oven on high power for 10 minutes.
  6. Check if a fork can go through the potatoes easily.
  7. If not soft enough, stir, cook for 2 more minutes & then check.
  8. If still not soft enough, repeat until it is.
  9. Allow to cool a little and add all other ingredients. Stir.
  10. If using optional tomatoes, quarter and stir in.
  11. After a few minutes, serve or serve cold.

Cheap & Easy, Recipes, Side dishes, Vegan on a Budget

Mashed Microwaved Potatoes

Inspired by a Middle Eastern Recipe. See also the Potato Salad recipe as that is simpler and does not require mashing.

Serves 4 as a side dish.

Cost £1.20 or less

Ingredients

  • 500 grams (approximately) potatoes 
  • Sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil to taste
  • Pinch of salt or 1 tablespoon of shoyu/soy sauce

EITHER

  • Unsweetened plant milk – soya, oat, hemp, almond or rice 

OR

  • Juice of half a lemon 
  • 2 cloves of garlic

Method

  1. Peel or thoroughly scrub the potatoes in water.
  2. Cut into chunks about the size of a golf ball.
  3. Crush or finely chop the garlic.
  4. Place the cut potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl & cover with a microwave-safe plate. (No water required).
  5. Cook in the microwave oven on high power for 10 minutes.
  6. Check if a fork can go through the potatoes easily.
  7. If not soft enough, stir, cook for 2 more minutes & then check.
  8. If still not soft enough, repeat until it is.
  9. Mash with a potato masher. Skins can be left on. 
  10. Add salt and oil while mashing to the texture you like. Shoyu/soy sauce can be used instead of salt. 

EITHER

11a. Mix in enough plant milk to make the potatoes smooth & creamy.
OR

11b. Mix in lemon juice & garlic according to taste.

12.   Serve

Cheap & Easy, Main dishes, Recipes, Side dishes, Starters and soups, Vegan on a Budget

Red Lentil Pancakes

Makes 5/6 pancakes.

Costs about 15p each without fillings.

Ingredients

1 cup red lentils

Uncooked veggies of choice (peppers, onions, mushrooms, carrots etc)

2 tablespoons of olive oil

½ tablespoon of baking powder

Salt and pepper according to taste

Method

Soak 1 cup red lentils overnight then rinse and wash.

Blend with 1cup water & pour into a bowl.

Chop veggies of choice & add to the blended lentils.

Add olive oil, baking powder, salt & pepper and mix well.

Pour the mixture into the frying pan… enough to cover bottom.

Cook (dry-fry if the pan will allow) covered for 2 minutes, flip and repeat.

Cook uncovered for 1 minute each side.