Not so humble - how to turn a jacket potato into a fancy lunch
The jacket potato is a classic English staple but when you go vegan and can no longer have tuna mayo or cheesy beans you have to get slightly more creative. You can still buy baked beans and buy vegan cheese but when the budget is tight you might not want to pay the extortionate price for dairy free cheese. Here are some creative ideas for stuffed potatoes.
1.Shepard’s Pie Jacket
2 large Baking potatoes
1 carrot, peeled and chopped (into discs and then quarters)
2 handfuls of cooked puy lentils (either buy them already cooked or follow the instructions on the packet)
1 medium chopped onion
1 handful of frozen peas
1 handful of chopped green beans
1 handful chopped mushrooms
1 tbsp oil
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp Gravy granules
1 tbsp Margarine
1 tbsp Soya milk
Rub the baking potatoes with a little oil and salt before cooking in the oven for one hour at 200°C. Heat the oil in the frying pan and add the onions. When the onions start to turn translucent add the carrots. Cook for 8 mins and add 2 tbsp of water to the pan half way through. Add the rest of the veg, except the peas and cook for another 5 mins. Add the lentils and peas. Add 250ml boiling water to the gravy and stir. Add to the pan. Mix everything in and add more water or gravy granules to get a good thick gravy texture. When the potatoes are done cut an oval shape across the top and then scoop out the potato with a spoon into a small bowl. Be careful to leave enough in to maintain the shape of the jacket potato. Fill the potatoes with the lentil mixture. Mash up the potato in the bowl with a fork. Add the Margarine, milk and salt and pepper to taste. When it is a creamy texture spoon it back on top of the potato. Use a fork to make sure the potato is covered. Cover the potatoes with tinfoil and put back in the oven for a further 15 minutes. IF you like your shepherds pie crispy on top then remove the tinfoil for the last 5 minutes or so.
2.Vegan Coleslaw
3tbsp egg free mayo (available in Green’s whole foods shop)
Handful of chopped kale (or any finely chopped cabbage)
2 grated carrots
1 chopped red onion
Coleslaw is super easy to make. Just combine the ingredients in a bowl and use to top a jacket potato or as a dip. I really like using kale in this recipe but if you prefer a traditional coleslaw use cabbage. On the other hand if you want a little more excitement try adding a teaspoon of garam masala, a handful of sultanas and some chopped apple to create a coronation chicken style coleslaw.
3.Bean chilli
1 tin mixed beans (3 or 5 bean salads are best)
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tsp chilli powder (or any kind of chilli, crushed, fresh etc. add to taste) or 1 ½ tsp chilli con carne seasoning you can find in packets in any supermarket
Salt and pepper to taste
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp. oil
2 squares dark chocolate (the really cheap own brand type is fine)
You can also add any vegetables you have in the fridge, handful of chopped mushrooms, chopped courgette, chopped pepper or a handful of sweetcorn all work well
Heat the oil in a frying pan on a high heat until a piece of onion sizzles when you place it in the pan. Add the onion and cook until it starts to turn brown. Add your vegetables (but not sweetcorn) and fry for 3-5 minutes (until mushrooms/courgette etc. start to soften). Drain and add the beans and tinned tomatoes. Add salt and pepper and chilli (and sweetcorn if you want it). Stir until bubbling then add the chocolate and stir in until it has melted. Reduce heat to low and leave to simmer for 7 minutes before serving with your jacket potato.
