Vegetarian Shepherd`s Pie

Ingredients:

Potato Layer

• 6 medium potatoes (2lbs/1kg)
• ¾ cup (175 ml) milk or soy milk, warmed
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) butter or margarine
• ¾ cup (3 oz / 100 g) grated cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Lentil Layer

• 1 cup dry green lentils
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 cups (1, 19 oz - 540 ml can) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 tsp soy sauce or vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (use an anchovy-free brand)
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp hot sauce (like Tabasco)
• ¾ cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 cup frozen peas
• paprika

Directions:

1. Cook lentils according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in boiling, salted water for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
4. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet. Cook onions and garlic until tender.
5. Stir in cooked lentils.
6. Add tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce/soy sauce, thyme, hot sauce and peas.
7. Stir in breadcrumbs and season to taste with salt and pepper.
8. Mash the drained potatoes with milk/soy milk, butter/margarine, cheese, salt and pepper. Set aside.
9. Transfer mixture to a large casserole dish (3.5 L or 3.5 quart) casserole dish.
10. Using a spatula, smooth the mashed potatoes over top. Sprinkle with paprika.
11. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
12. Serve alone with garlic bread or mushroom gravy.

Shepherd's Pie Variations

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

• Omit the cheddar cheese in the potato layer and use soy milk and vegan butter.

Fancy Shepherd's Pie

• Add finely chopped colorful vegetables to the lentil layer. Try carrots, corn or peppers.
• Serve with rich mushroom gravy.
• Bake in a large glass casserole dish to showcase the layered lentils and potatoes.
• Shred some hard parmesan or asiago cheese in addition to the cheddar cheese.
• Use old (aged) cheddar cheese instead of medium cheddar cheese.

Fun Family-Friendly Shepherd's Pie

• Omit the cheddar cheese in the potato layer and substitute sweet potatoes for some or all of the white potatoes.
• Add more spice using hot sauce or hot peppers in the lentil layer.
• Top with even more shredded cheddar cheese, or try different kinds of cheese mixed together.
• Subsittute or mix in re-hydrated vegetarian soy crumbles (TSP) with the lentils.