Affordable & Delicious Vegetarian Recipes for Summer Festivities
The festive season is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing laughter, and indulging in delicious food. But with the end-of-year rush and summer celebrations, it’s easy for costs (and calories) to spiral out of control. Fear not! Here are some budget-friendly, healthy recipes that will impress your friends and family without breaking the bank.
1. Summer Salad with Watermelon, Mint, and Feta
This light, refreshing salad is perfect for those hot summer days.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 watermelon, diced
- 100g reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cucumber, sliced thinly
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- Juice of 1 lime
Method:
- Combine the watermelon, cucumber, and mint in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta over the top.
- Drizzle with fresh lime juice and gently toss before serving.
Cost per serve: Approx. $2 per serve (serves 6)
2. Rainbow Roast Veggie Couscous
Bring a bright pop of colour to the dinner table with this wholesome and nourishing side dish.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup wholemeal couscous
- 1 red & yellow capsicum
- ¼ pumpkin (approx. 900g)
- 1 beetroot
- 2 cups spinach
- ½ bunch parsley
- 1 orange
- ½ cup almonds
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- ½ block feta, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- extra virgin olive oil
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180oC.
- Dice pumpkin and beetroot, slice capsicums.
- Mix with cumin, cinnamon and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Place on a baking tray and bake for 35-40mins.
- Finely chop parsley.
- Juice orange and zest skin.
- Add almonds into the oven for last 10 minutes.
- Place couscous in a heatproof bowl, add 3/4 cup boiling water and orange juice, leave for 5 mins covered, stir with a fork.
- Mix orange zest, parsley, chickpeas into couscous.
- Add roast veggies and stir through spinach and feta.
Cost per serve: Approx. $4.30 per serve (serves 4)
3. Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Dip
This vibrant orange dip pairs well with veggie sticks or wholegrain crackers.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Juice of 1 lemon
Method:
- Roast the sweet potato cubes in the oven at 200°C for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
- Blend the roasted sweet potato, chickpeas, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth. Add a splash of water if the mixture is too thick.
- Serve with vegetable sticks or crackers.
Cost per serve: Approx. $1 (serves 8)
3. Corn & Veggie Fritters
These crispy, golden fritters are a crowd-pleaser that are super easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of veggies (we used 1 fresh capsicum, 1 grated carrot and 1 cup of frozen peas & corn)
- 1 cup of wholemeal plain flour
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup low-fat cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp dried herbs (we used basil and oregano)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 4 cups of side salad to serve with (we used spinach and fresh tomato)
Method:
- Prepare veggies: grate carrot, chop capsicum into small pieces. Defrost frozen veggies in the microwave for 60 seconds then drain.
- In a large bowl, add eggs and lightly beat with a fork.
- Add veggies, cheese, herbs, salt and pepper to the bowl and mix together.
- Add flour and mix through.
- Use your hands to make 8 even sized fritters from the mixture.
- Heat oil on a low to medium heat on a large fry pan.
- Cook fritters for approx. 8 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in two batches. Be careful that the pan isn’t too hot so the fritters don’t burn
- Serve with your side salad!
You may want to serve these with some avocado or a teaspoon of chutney for some extra flavour!
Cost per serve: Approx. $2 (makes 10 fritters)
4. Frozen Mango and Coconut Bites
These no-bake treats are a healthy alternative to sugary desserts.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe mangoes, pureed
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
Method:
- Combine the mango puree and Greek yogurt in a bowl.
- Spoon the mixture into silicone molds or ice cube trays.
- Sprinkle shredded coconut on top.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
Cost Per Serve: Approx. $1 (makes 20 bites)
5. Roasted Chilli Pumpkin
Impress your dinner guests with this bright and nutritious side dish with a kick!
Ingredients:
- ¼ Kent pumpkin
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of chilli flakes
- Handful pumpkin seeds
- Natural or Greek yoghurt
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 180oC (fan-forced)
- Slice pumpkin approx. 1 cm thick
- Place on baking tray
- Drizzle over olive oil
- Sprinkle over, cinnamon, chili flakes, salt and pepper
- Roast for 30mins
- Sprinkle over pumpkin seeds and roast for further 5 mins
- Serve with a drizzle of yoghurt
Cost per serve: Approx. $2 (serves 4)
Tips for Keeping Festive Recipes Budget-Friendly and Healthy
- Shop seasonally: Use fruits and vegetables that are in season to save money and maximize flavor.
- Buy in bulk: Staples like chickpeas, flour, and frozen vegetables are more cost-effective when purchased in larger quantities.
- DIY where possible: Making dips, dressings, and snacks at home can be significantly cheaper and healthier than store-bought options.
- Focus on balance: Aim for recipes that combine fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains for a nutritious and satisfying dish.
Bringing one of these dishes to a festive event is sure to delight your friends and family while helping you stick to your budget and health goals. Happy cooking, and enjoy the festive season!
