By Niamh Feeney
Many of us are missing out on the flavourful foods from our favourite restaurants this lockdown, especially if Deliveroo does not cater to your area. It’s tough, I know. So why not experiment in the kitchen and cook up your own delicious dishes?
These are my go-to simple and inexpensive recipes that I have learned to perfect over the lockdowns. If you are looking for something delicious and nutritious, but trying to stay within a budget, then try these out.
Julie’s Squash Soup
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 1 squash
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 4 celery sticks
- 2 carrots
- 1 onion
- 1 litre of vegetable stock
- 2 garlic cloves
- A drizzle of olive oil
- Smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
Optional sides: a slice of wholemeal brown bread with some Kerrygold butter.
Equipment: chopping board, knife, liquidiser (or blender), large saucepan.
Steps:
1: Wash, peel and finely chop the squash, sweet potatoes, celery, carrots, and onion into thin pieces.
2: On a low heat, put the olive oil into the saucepan followed by the chopped vegetables. Let it sweat in the saucepan (roughly 25/30 minutes) until soft and golden brown.
3: Sprinkle in the seasoning – smoked paprika, pepper, salt, and smashed garlic cloves. Add 1 litre of vegetable stock and simmer for a further 30 minutes.
4: When vegetables are soft, use your liquidiser/blender and blend until it becomes a smooth liquid.
5: Pour into a bowl and enjoy!
This soup freezes well if you want to save the leftovers for another day. Perfect for a cold and windy evening.
Total cost: 5 euro
Next up, why not treat yourself to some homemade sushi. Follow this basic recipe and have some delicious sushi made in minutes! You can always add your own twist and make it vegan, vegetarian or even use other fillings like tuna and cucumber.
DIY Sushi Rolls
Makes 10 rolls – serves 5:
Ingredients:
- 200g Smoked salmon
- two chopped avocados
- 10 seaweed sheets
- 550g sushi rice (Jasmine rice works well too)
Optional sides: soy sauce and some pickled ginger if you’re feeling adventurous.
Equipment: saucepan, chopping board, sharp knife.
Steps:
1: Cook rice for approximately. 14 minutes until light, sticky and fluffy.
2: With the shiny side down, pat the rice all-over the seaweed sheets but leave a 2cm uncovered gap at the top of the sheet.
3: 1cm in from the bottom, where the rice begins, layer on the smoked salmon and avocado in a line. Be careful not to overfill.
4: Tightly roll from the bottom up and wet the uncovered side so it sticks in place.
5: Using a sharp knife cut the sushi roll into thick pieces.
Bon Appetit! Don’t forget to dip into soy sauce or munch alongside some pickled ginger for a kick!
Total cost: 12 euro
Give these easy recipes a go if you’re looking to treat your tastebuds or housemates. You won’t be disappointed!
