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.
Ingredients
FOR THE FILLING:
- 2 cups Puy Lentils cooked
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2 cups mixed vegetables peas, diced carrot, chopped beans, corn
- 3 cups mushrooms chopped
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp garlic finely chopped or minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-1½ tsp salt
- 4 sprigs thyme
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ½ tsp pepper powder
- 4 tbsp fresh tomato puree thick
- 1 tbsp flour wheat, all purpose or millet flour
FOR MASHED POTATOES:
- 6-8 medium potatoes
- 2 tbsp butter or oil
- 1 cup milk
- ½ - ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper powder
TOPPING:
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- ½ tsp coarse pepper powder
Instructions
PREPARATION OF MASHED POTATOES:
- Peel and cut the potatoes into big chunks.
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add the potatoes and cook till done but not overcooked.
- Drain out the water.
- Heat butter and milk together in a pan over low heat till the butter melts. Don't over heat the milk.
- Mash the potatoes with a masher. Add pepper powder.
- Slowly add the milk, mixing it until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
- Add more salt if required.
PREPARATION OF THE FILLING:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add onions and stir fry till they become soft.
- Add garlic and stir fry for a few seconds.
- Add the mixed vegetables, salt and water.
- Cover and cook till the vegetables are done but not overcooked.
- Add mushrooms. Stir well and cook till they become soft.
- Add cooked lentils, paprika, pepper powder, thyme and sprinkle the flour over it.
- Mix well.
- Add the tomato puree. Mix well and let it cook over low heat till the mixture becomes thick.
FINAL PREPARATION:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Spoon the filling into an oven proof deep baking dish.
- Level it out.
- Spoon the mashed potato over the filling. Make a smooth layer by spreading the mashed potato into an even layer with a spoon or spatula.
- Sprinkle pepper and chilli flakes over it.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or till the potato layer begins to brown a little.
- Serve it hot.
Notes
- Use vegetables of your choice.
- Use soya granules instead of lentils if you want to.
- I cup uncooked lentils gives 2 cups of cooked lentils. I cooked it in salted water.
- For a quicker version, broil or grill the pie. Before you do so, heat the filling and spoon it into the baking dish. Add the mashed potato layer and grill or broil.
- For a vegan option replace the butter with oil and use nut milk.
- For a gluten free option use millet flour instead of wheat flour.