Serves 4-6

Cost of ingredients from Lidl or Aldi, £2 or less (December 2024)

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped.
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed.
• 225g coarsely chopped nuts (brazils, hazels, cashews, peanuts OR a mixture) OR cooked & then mashed beans (e.g. kidney, butter, haricot) – OR 240 g can of beans drained.
• 200g grains e.g. rolled/jumbo/porridge oats OR wholemeal breadcrumbs OR crumbed leftover sandwiches & make up the quantity with buckwheat flour, barley flour, rice flour etc..
• 1 tablespoon herbs (e.g. thyme, sage, rosemary, mixed). 
• 1 teaspoon of chilli powder – only if you like it spicy.
• 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds OR poppy seeds- optional.
• Pepper to taste. 
• 2 tablespoons of soya OR or gram flour.
• 1 tablespoon yeast extract (e.g. Marmite) OR shoyu (soy sauce).
• 240g can of tomatoes OR equivalent in left-over cooked vegetables.
• I tablespoon of sunflower OR rapeseed oil.

Method

1. Mash beans if using.
2. Mix all dry ingredients, (+mashed beans if using) & flavourings together.
3. Either fry chopped onion with garlic or add to mixture without frying.
4. Chop tomatoes/left-over vegetables & mix in enough to make a consistency similar to a stiff cake mixture.  Add water if necessary (unlikely).
5. Oil a bread tin or cake tin & fill with the mixture.
6. Place in a pre-heated oven or air fryer (400F, 200C) for 30 minutes & cook until the roast is firm & golden on top.
7. Insert a knife into the loaf to make sure that the loaf is cooked inside (not very much stuck to the knife after sliding it out again).
8. Loosen any roast stuck to the side of the tin. 
9. Allow the roast to cool for a few minutes.
10. Place a plate over the tin & turn upside down. Tap the tin & the roast should fall out (whole) onto the plate. 
11. Slice carefully & serve.

Further options

• Add sautéed chopped vegetables such as peppers, courgettes, carrots, parsnips or mushrooms prior to adding liquids to the mix.
• Include a layer of fried mushrooms when the loaf tin is half full.

Serving options

• Cranberry & orange sauce (reduced sugar), mushroom sauce or a vegan gravy (available in supermarkets & health food shops but check label says vegan)
• Carrot sticks
• Brussel sprouts with roasted flaked almonds
• Chestnuts
• Roast parsnips, potatoes &/or sweet potatoes.