Try this vegetarian shepherd's pie recipe for a flavorsome day
Shepherd's pie, a comfort food staple, has its roots in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Typically a non-vegetarian dish, this hearty offering has been adapted for vegetarians with equally satisfying results. It's a perfect meal for chilly evenings, bringing warmth and nourishment to the table. So grab your apron, and let's get cooking a meat-free version that everyone can enjoy. Here's the recipe.
Gather the following ingredients
For this vegetarian delight, you'll need three large potatoes (peeled and quartered), one tablespoon olive oil, one medium onion (diced), two cloves garlic (minced), two carrots (diced), one cup frozen peas, one cup frozen corn, two tablespoons tomato paste, one teaspoon dried thyme, one teaspoon dried rosemary, half a cup of vegetable broth, salt and pepper to taste; and half a cup of milk.
Prepare the mashed potatoes
Boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in salted water until tender. This should take about 15 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot. Add the milk and mash to a smooth consistency. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor. This creamy mashed potato layer will top the vegetable filling, providing a velvety texture contrast in your vegetarian shepherd's pie.
Saute the vegetables
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil before adding the onions and garlic. Saute these until they turn translucent. Next, add the carrots, peas, and corn, cooking them until tender yet still full of color. Finally, stir in the tomato paste and sprinkle in thyme and rosemary to give the vegetables that quintessential shepherd's pie flavor.
Assemble the pie
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Take the colorful vegetable mix and evenly spread it into an oven-proof dish. Carefully pour the vegetable broth over the mixture, ensuring it stays moist while it bakes. Top with the creamy mashed potatoes, spreading them out to form a seal along the dish's edges, which helps prevent any overflow during baking.
Bake to perfection
Put the pie into a 400-degree Fahrenheit oven, letting it bake for 20 minutes or until the mashed potato layer turns golden brown. For a crispier top, broil for two additional minutes. Once the surface is perfectly bronzed, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving this hearty, vegetarian version of the classic shepherd's pie.
