Friday 5 October 2018

Meat-Free Shepherd's Pie

Although balmy Springtime days are here, our evenings are still quite chilly so the wonderful warmth of a delicious Shepherd's Pie, topped with buttery mashed potatoes, is still most welcome on a colder night. 

Delicious and nourishing Cottage Pie.

Unlike a traditional Irish Shepherd's Pie, made with a lamb, this delicious pie filling is made with lentils and vegetables and herbs. Of course, it's topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. It's a meat-free meal that is so tasty and nourishing and filling. 

I came across the recipe in the book, Grown & Gathered, by Matt & Lentil which I borrowed from my local library. It's also available here. I tweaked it a little to match what I had to use. I used a tin of organic puy lentils I had in the pantry instead of preparing and soaking lentils overnight. (Lazy??) Also, as suggested in the recipe, I used vegetable stock rather than making the filling with a lamb or beef bone and water. This makes the filling a vegetarian version. I also chose not to make the pastry and so topped it with just simple mashed potatoes rather than the mash, made with potatoes, sweet potato, carrots and turnips, suggested in the original recipe. It's a lovely recipe however you make it!

 Lentil & vegetable filling full of goodness.

Creamy mashed potato topping. 

Ready for the oven.  

Piping-hot pie!

This version of shepherd's pie is a 'keeper' that I know I'll make many times over because it's so versatile. You can soak those lentils or use tinned lentils. You can throw in whatever herbs you've got growing in the garden. You can make your mash however you like! It's great when you find a recipe you can put on repeat!

What's your favourite recipe-on-repeat at your place?

Meg


p.s. Did you know that a meat-less Shepherd's Pie is sometimes called a "Shepherdless Pie". I found that out, among other things, at this link to Jamie Oliver's 10 Things You Didn't Know About Shepherd's Pie






28 comments:

  1. Ohhhhhh, this is a great recipe! I make something similar and we love it too. I also cook the lentils with veggie broth, and I mix the lentils with whatever frozen veggie mix I have around, but my favorite is the one with the carrots, corn, and green beans (sometimes there are lima beans in there as well). It's not a difficult meal; the biggest pain is peeling and mashing the potatoes. It's such a warm, comforting meal.

    I might make this tomorrow; thanks for the suggestion! :)

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    1. I might try frozen veg in mine next time too, Stephanie. That's a great tip! I have some in the freezer to use. I hope you enjoy your pie when you make it. Meg:)

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  2. Both of your versions look and sound delicious! This time of year I love meatloaf, (sometimes made with ground turkey,) and mashed potatoes.

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    1. We don't often have meatloaf, Stephenie, but I used to have a recipe that had a lovely bbq sauce over the top. Must find that! Mashed potatoes are such a comfort food, aren't they! Meg:)

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  3. Wow this looks amazing Meg. I may try and make smaller pot pies with it and make some with pastry as both my kids have Autism and the texture of mash potato is something my boy can't deal with. The rest of us love it though! Frozen vege and canned lentils would definitely work for a standby meal. xx Susan

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    1. I think pot pies would be lovely, Susan. I might try that too! Meg ☺

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  4. Meg, I really need to make something like that as we have spag bol quite regularly. It looks delicious and I should give it a try soon.

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    1. It tastes lovely, Chel. It will make a nice alternative to spag bol. Meg ☺

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  5. I cook Paella,made with chicken, I was instructed by my Spanish friends mum, many years ago, both hubby and I love it. If hubby is cooking we love Risotto, made with just mushrooms. We eat meat free twice a week, and we both love rice dishes.

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    1. We love rice dishes too, Marlene. Paella sounds amazing! Meg ☺

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  6. It sounds delicious. I often make it with a meat free mince instead of lentils. X

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    1. It's a lovely pie, Jules. What do you put in your meat free mince? Meg ☺

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  7. Shepherds pie is one of our favourites too, comfort and nostalgia wrapped up in one meal xx

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    1. Definitely great comfort food! My Mum used to make it often when we were children so a nostalgic meal for me too. Meg☺

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  8. I have made very few shepherd's pies over the years, so I forget about them altogether. I anticipate cooking for a crowd next month, and I think this would be a great idea! Cozy and tasty and nourishing all bundled together! Thank you!

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    1. I hope everyone enjoys it! It's nice to rediscover dishes we haven't made in a while. Meg:)

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  9. It looks delicious Meg, thanks for sharing.

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    1. It tastes as good as it looks, Jan. It's really flavoursome, lots of herbs. Meg:)

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    1. It's a great recipe, Kath. You could easily make a double batch of the filling and freeze it. I will probably do that next time. Meg:)

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  11. We love a beef version of the shepherds pie, I think we call it cottage pie. I do love the idea of a lentil version, I shall try this soon. Coincidentally, we are having cottage pie for dinner. I never pre-soak Puy lentils. I remember tins of lentils when I was a child - must look out for them in the shops.

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    1. I find tinned lentils and chick peas are good to have on standby in my pantry if I've forgotten to soak some for a recipe. I read that shepherd's pie is traditionally made with lamb and cottage pie is made with beef. Meg:)

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  12. I've had shepherd's pie with meat, but not a meatless version. Looks delicious!

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    1. It's really tasty, Bless. My hubby was surprised that there was no meat in it after he'd polished off his serve! Meg:)

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  13. this is a popular one around here in the cooler months too - generally packed with plenty of veg, lentils and just a little leftover roast lamb to add that extra flavour.
    mexican beef is getting a workout here lately. I do a big batch in the slow cooker and it features weekly - chilli con carne, nachos, tacos, mexican bowls, stuffed spuds...you name it. Always packed with whatever veg is on hand plus some dried or tinned beans.
    Love a meal that can do extra duty :)

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    1. It sounds like your Mexican Beef is very versatile, Laura Jean. Extra veg and beans are a great source of extra nutrition in meals. Yum! Meg:)

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  14. I've got their cook book as well...I have followed their blog and story for a couple of years and I love hearing about their life and farm.

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    1. I borrowed the cookbook from the local library, Kathy. Lots of recipes I'd like to try. Meg:)

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