Tag Archives: potatoes

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

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