What to Serve with Mashed Potatoes

I love potatoes! All kinds of potatoes prepared all sorts of ways - potato soup, potato salad, roasted potatoes, fried potatoes, and of course mashed potatoes. But for way too long I struggled with what to serve with mashed potatoes. They make sense with meat. All you need is a big slab of meat and mashed potatoes and you've got a meal. But what do you serve when you want that 'meat and potatoes' feel, but you don't care for the meat?

I'm fond of these lentil walnut patties. They're rich and, um kinda meaty, and can be dressed up with some mushroom gravy for special occasions. And hey can be prepared in advance and cooked or reheated later.

Lentil Walnut Patties
Serves 2

1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for frying patties
6-8 crimini mushrooms, washed and sliced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp dried rosemary or thyme
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 cup crumbled tofu
1 cup cooked lentils
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
3 tbsp white wine, or vegetable stock
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1/4-1/2 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a small skillet, add mushrooms and onions and saute over medium low heat until caramelized and soft. Add white wine, herbs, and pepper flakes and allow liquid to evaporate. Remove from heat.

Combine mushroom mixture with lentils and walnuts in a food processor and pulse to make a coarse puree. Spoon mixture into a bowl and combine with remaining ingredients holding back last 1/4 cup of bread crumbs. Thoroughly mix ingredients until mixture comes together into balls adding remaining bread crumbs until mixture is no longer sticky.


Preheat an oven to 350. Form 4 patties about 3/4" thick. Heat a small amount of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and add patties only after the pan is heated through (to avoid sticking). Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they are crisp and golden brown. Then move to the oven to finish cooking for about 10 minutes.

Serve plane or topped with gravy or white sauce.