This hearty and healthy recipe comes courtesy of Lauren Lovatt, author of MIND FOOD: Plant-based recipes for positive mental health (publishing next month) and we have a sneak-peak at a few delicious recipes just for you!

Dauphinoise potatoes are the ultimate comfort food and this time of year, when we all need a little more light, the bright colours and spice in these potatoes help to bring a little sunshine to anyone’s day. When I was studying for my degree, I would often make little batches of classic dauphinoise for days when I wasn’t feeling so great. Having them ready to heat when I didn’t feel like cooking was such a lifesaver. This recipe is a new and improved version of the potatoes I had in those darker times.

INGREDIENTS – Serves 6

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 large red onion, finely sliced 

½ tsp salt 

4 garlic cloves, crushed 

500g (1lb 2oz) sweet potatoes, washed and sliced into 2mm (1/8 in) rounds 

400g (14oz) potatoes (I like Alouettes), washed and sliced into 2mm (1/8 in) rounds 

200g (1 & 2/3 cups) cashew nuts, soaked for at least 1 hour in hot water, then well rinsed 

1 tsp dried chilli flakes 

3 tbsp nutritional yeast 

Freshly cracked black pepper 

For the alguashte: 

100g (¾ cup) pumpkin seeds 

½ tsp dried chilli flakes 

½ tsp smoked salt

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan (200°C/400°F/Gas 6)

For the Dauphinoise

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Once hot, add the onion and salt. Cook over a low heat for about 10 minutes until soft, but not brown. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute. 

Add all the potatoes to the pan with 400ml (generous 2 cups) of water and bring to a simmer. Simmer the potatoes for about 10 minutes. 

Blend the soaked cashews with 400ml (generous 2 cups) of water in a food processor or blender for 30 seconds to make a cream. 

Pour the cashew cream into the pan with the potatoes and add the chilli flakes and nutritional yeast. Simmer for 5 minutes until the potatoes are soft. 

Tumble the cooked potatoes and creamy sauce in a medium baking tray with reasonably high sides. Make the top layer of potatoes quite neat, then place the tin in the oven to bake for 20 minutes, or until the top layer of potatoes is golden brown. 

For the Algushte

To make the alguashte, place a small saucepan over a medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and toast until they start to pop. Once toasted, transfer the seeds to a pestle and mortar with the chilli and salt and grind everything into a dust. 

Remove the potatoes from the oven and leave them to sit for a few minutes to cool a little. You can eat the hot dauphinoise sprinkled with the alguashte just as they are, or serve with fresh leaves, grilled purple sprouting or massaged kale.

MIND FOOD: Plant-based recipes for positive mental health by LAUREN LOVATT
Photography by Sara Kiyo Popowa