Vegan Shepherd's Pie

 Cottage pie and shepherd's pie are basically the same thing when it comes to vegan fare, but traditionally a cottage pie is based on beef and shepherd's pie is based on lamb. But since we are making vegan versions we can really call it whatever. 

A simple yet delicious recipes for Vegan shepherd's pie, means the whole family can enjoy. Grabs a plate and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely diced
• 400g soy minced
• 2 celery stalk, finely diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 450g button mushrooms, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 350ml vegan stock, a "no beef" flavoured one is ideal
• 75ml wine, or extra stock
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

For the topping:

• 750g potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 75ml unsweetened plant milk
• 75g vegan butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Peel and chop the potatoes and add them to a pot. Cover with water and bring them to the boil. Cook for around 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are soft and cooked.

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until softened. 

Then add the frozen soy minced and sauté  with the onion and garlic until soft and browned. If your soy mince is a bit chunky then use your spatula while sautéing to break it up into small pieces.

Add the chopped mushroom, carrots, celery, soy sauce, dried sage, bay leaf and tomato paste and mix in.

Pour in the vegan beef stock and wine, stirring it in until a gravy starts to form. Simmer on low heat to get it thickened even further.

When the potatoes are cooked, add in the vegan butter and vegan milk and mash it up. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 200ºC . Add the veggie minced to a pie dish and smooth down. Add the mashed potatoes on top and smooth them down as the top layer. Use a fork to create ridges in the mashed potatoes.

Dot some vegan butter on top and sprinkle with black pepper.  Place into the oven to bake for 30 minutes. In the last 5 minutes switch over to grill for some extra browning on top.

Enjoy!