Recipe

Shepherdless pie

A vegan twist on the classic shepherd's pie made with lentils, mushrooms and a polenta topping. It's just as hearty as the original and oh-so tasty!

Feb 13, 2020 1:00pm
  • 1 hr preparation
  • Serves 4
    • Print
    Print

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (200g) French-style green lentils
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion (150g), chopped coarsely
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
  • 1 medium carrot (120g), chopped coarsely
  • 200 g swiss brown mushrooms, halved
  • 400 g grape tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup (250ml) vegetable stock
  • 60 g baby spinach
  • fresh thyme leaves, to serve
  • polenta topping
  • 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock
  • 1 cup (170g) polenta (cornmeal)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes (see tips)

Method

  • 1
    Cook lentils in a medium saucepan of boiling water for 12 minutes or until just tender; drain.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, heat oil in a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook onion, garlic and seeds, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add carrot, mushrooms and tomatoes; cook, covered, for 10 minutes or until carrot softens. Stir in paste; cook for 1 minute. Add stock; bring to the boil. Cook for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly. Stir in lentils and spinach; season. Cover to keep warm.
  • 3
    Make polenta topping.
  • 4
    Preheat grill (broiler) on high. Place lentil mixture in a 2-litre (8-cup) ovenproof dish; spread with polenta topping. Grill for 15 minutes or until golden and crisp.
  • 5
    Season; serve topped with thyme.
Polenta topping
  • 6
    Bring stock to the boil in a large saucepan. Gradually add polenta and thyme to stock, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until polenta thickens. Stir in oil and yeast flakes; season to taste.

Notes

French-style green lentils, related to the famous French lentils du puy, have a nutty, earthy flavour and a hardy nature that allows them to be rapidly cooked without disintegrating. Nutritional yeast flakes are available at health food stores.

The Latest from Australian Women's Weekly Food

More From Women's Weekly Food