Veggie Shepherd’s Pie

Veggie Shepherd’s Pie

Veggie Shepherd Pie is a vegetarian version of the famous Shepherd’s Pie. Traditional Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie as it is known as, has a filling of minced meat topped with mashed potatoes. I have replaced the minced meat with lentils (puy lentils) to make it vegetarian friendly. It also is a good plant protein rich dish as I have used mushrooms, milk and beans.

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?

A Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage pie is usually a meat pie with a topping of mashed potatoes. It is not made with any kind of pastry shell. Minced meat is prepared with some vegetables. The minced meat is spooned into a baking dish, topped with mashed potato and baked or grilled (broiled) for a while. This pie is famous in United Kingdom and very much a part of the Traditional Pub food.

My Version

I must admit I’ve never tasted the original Shepherd’s Pie but always wanted to make one but a veggie version. Many have replaced the minced meat with soya granules but I’m not a huge fan of soya. A frozen veggie packet (Artic’s) which I bought in Montreal, suggested adding vegetables with mushrooms to make a vegetarian version of the pie. I decided to add lentils also to make it into a hearty protein rich meal.

Memories

For this protein rich dish I nearly drove my husband up the walls! I wanted to bake individual portions for this recipe but my son’s kitchen didn’t have any individual oven friendly bowls. I researched online for the right kind of bake ware, and found that my favorite shop Stokes sell them. Next day it was raining but I insisted that we go to the shop. From home its about a 30-40 minute walk.

Hubby took out all sorts of bake ware from the kitchen and I just kept rejecting them as my brains could only see the bake ware I had seen on the Stokes website. Finally, as we all know, women tend to get they way and I won. Walked in the rain to the shop,bought the correct bake ware. Advantage for hubby was  a delicious panini sandwich with coffee for lunch at a nearby cafe.  Now please do tell me that the walk in the rain was worth it 🙂

Sharing This Recipe With Blogging Marathon Group

The theme is Protein Rich Dishes for the whole month. I have decided to showcase plant based protein rich dishes and Shepherd’s Pie is one of them.

Some Protein Rich Dishes

Whole Masoor 

Also known as puy lentils. I have not used the split one. Best to soak masoor in warm water for at least 30 minutes before you boil it in water. If you are using a pressure cooker, one whistle is enough as you don’t want mushy lentils.

Potatoes

Use potatoes that are good for mashing, the floury type. Some suggestions are Yukon Gold or russets.

Onion

Peel and chop. Use any of your preference, white, yellow or red.

Mushrooms

Wash or wipe them with a wet kitchen towel. Cut into slices or chop it. Use any variety of mushrooms. I have used button mushrooms.

Mixed Vegetables

I have used carrots, corn, green beans and peas. Feel free to use any vegetables of your choice.

Water

Normal tap water. Need for boiling the potatoes, lentils and also to add some to the filling.

Garlic

Peeled and finely chopped. Add according to your taste.

Salt

Adjust according to your taste both for the filling and the mash.

Herbs

Fresh or dried. I have used fresh thyme. Mixed herbs, oregano, tarragon, etc would work well.

Butter

To add to the mashed potatoes. For a vegan version, use vegan butter or oil.

Olive Oil

Need some for the filling.

Tomato Puree –

Fresh tomato puree or canned.

Flour

Need a little to hold the filling together. Can use wheat, all purpose or millet flour. For a gluten free option, use any millet flour or oats flour.

Paprika 

For the filling. Can use cayenne if you want to.

Pepper

Black pepper coarsely ground. Need some for the filling and the mash.

Milk

To add to the mashed potatoes. Use cream for a more fluffier mash. Replace dairy milk with nut or soya milk for a vegan version.

Red Chilli Flakes

I used some as a topping. It is an optional ingredient.