My Foodie Call

Not a speck of beef in here.

Figured it was time for a “comfort meal”. It seems as though most people have their go-to Shepherd’s Pie recipe. Tradition is good, but not always super healthy. Did you know that the very first Shepherd’s Pie had ground lamb as its meat? No thanks.

I wanted to make something a tad different from standard recipes and decided to add Gardein Beefless Tips.

It worked and turned out great.

Have you ever bought these before? Every standard grocery store has these. Right next to the veggie burgers. Give it a shot, you’ll be surprised how tasty they are….

Let’s go through the process, shall we?

First I made the topping…

Cooked sweet potato ready to process…

All whipped up with the almond milk, nutritional yeast, butter…hmmm. I could eat it like this….

Next I made the bottom layer.

Carrots, peas, onions, and Gardein Beefless Tips.

Add the parmesan cheese.

Give it a stir.

Add it to your casserole dish.

Spread your sweet potato layer on top.

It’s coming together…

Bake for 30 or so minutes…

Done. Good stuff.

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Beefless Tips

Sweet Potato Topping

• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1 lb.)
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 1 Tbs. nutritional yeast (optional)
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 sp. ground nutmeg

Filling

• 1 Tbs. grapeseed oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 carrots diced (or about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 9 oz package Gardein Beefless Tips, thawed and sliced in half.
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Directions 

For Sweet Potato Topping:

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil.
2. Add diced sweet potato, cover, and boil 10 minutes, or until tender.
3. Drain and add to food processor with almond milk, butter, optional nutritional yeast, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Process with quick pulses until you reach your desired consistency.

For the filling: 

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 or 6 minutes, or until onions are soft.
2. Add carrot, thyme, and sage. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more, or until carrot begins to soften.
3. Add veggie broth.
4. Stir in peas, and Gardein Beefless Tips.  Cover and cook on low for 16-18 minutes, or until carrots are soft. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Stir in parmesan cheese.

The assembly:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Pour filling into 2-qt. casserole dish that has been pre-sprayed to prevent sticking. Spread Sweet Potato Topping over Filling.
3. Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes, or until filling is bubbling.
4. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Leftovers rock, too.