Busy Ladies Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

The Busy Ladies Vegan Shepherd's Pie is the ultimate slow-cooked comfort food, so be prepared to spend an hour making this recipe. Trust us, it's time well spent! Pull out this recipe when you want to make a lasting impression. It's ideal for a cosy Sunday dinner or a comforting winter meal. And if you're organized, you can even serve it on a weeknight! Here's why this recipe stands out:

The filling is thick, savory, and meaty. It's a challenge to make vegan dishes as satisfying as their meat counterparts, but we've cracked the code. Fennel seed tricks your brain into thinking there's meat involved (it's a secret ingredient used in sausage). The gravy is luxuriously thick, and the tender French-cut onions add a hint of meaty texture.

It's packed with plant-based protein. This shepherd's pie is a protein powerhouse thanks to the lentils and peas. It's a meal that will keep you satisfied.

And the best part? It can be made in about an hour. Traditional shepherd's pie recipes can take hours to prepare, but we've simplified the process to make it as easy as possible.

• Serve the vegan shepherd's pie as a main dish for a cosy and comforting dinner.
• Pair it with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
• Garnish with freshly chopped rosemary for added fragrance and flavor.

• 1 kilo Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces portabella mushrooms, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 teaspoon rock salt
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 clove of garlic (crushed)
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 500 grams of lentils, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Fresh rosemary, for garnish

• Preheat that oven to a toasty 375 degrees Fahrenheit!
• Now, let's get those mashed potatoes started. You can also make them ahead of time and just reheat them later.
• While those potatoes are cooking, let's prep the veggies. Dice up those mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Peel and slice the carrots into thin half-circles. And don't forget to cut the onion into thin slivers length-wise, also known as French cut.
• Now it's time to make the filling. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a big pot on medium high heat. Cook those mushrooms until they're golden and tender, about 5 minutes.
• Then, reduce the heat to medium and add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil along with the sliced onion and carrots. Sprinkle everything with some rock salt and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the onions are tender and just starting to brown.
• Lower the heat to medium low and stir in the flour (or cornstarch), fennel seeds, smoked paprika, garlic, and dried sage. Cook everything for 1 minute.
• Now it's time to add the vegetable broth, peas, lentils, soy sauce, and the rest of the rock salt.
• Cook it all up for about 5 minutes until the broth is nice and thick and the veggies are heated through.
• While that's cooking, finish up those mashed potatoes using the instructions from the recipe.
• Once the potatoes are done, pour the filling into a medium sized baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes on top.
• Pop it in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the potatoes are lightly browned.
• If you want that extra crispy goodness, broil it for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Finally, garnish with some chopped rosemary.

• Hearty vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and carrots provide a satisfying and nutritious base for the filling.
• Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein and add a meaty texture to the shepherd's pie.
• Fennel seeds mimic the flavor of meat and add depth to the filling.
• Truffle oil adds a luxurious and earthy flavor to the dish, elevating it to the next level.

• If canned lentils are unavailable, cook 1 1/2 cups of lentils separately and add them to the filling.
• Feel free to use different types of lentils such as brown, green, French, or black, depending on your preference.
• When cooking lentils, add rock salt to the cooking water for seasoning.
• To add a touch of luxury, stir truffle oil into the mashed potatoes to taste.
• This vegan shepherd's pie is a delicious and satisfying main dish that is suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and those following a plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free diet. Enjoy!