Lentil Shepard's Pie

Boy have we come a long way....if you would have told me years ago that I would be making this dish for my family and that they would EAT it and LIKE it, I would have called you a liar.  Because NEVER could I imagine this happening!

This dish is easy to make but it's one of my more time consuming ones.   Typically it takes me roughly an hour to assemble everything and then another 45+ minutes to bake.  But it is totally worth it you guys!  100%!

Lentil Shepard's Pie

Filling:

1 1/2 cups lentils
2 large carrots
2 celery sticks
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1 cup green beans
1 cup peas
1 potato
2 cups beef broth
1-2 cups milk
heavy cream, optional
salt & pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 cup fresh parsley or 2 tablespoons dried
2 tablespoons flour

Topping:

Mashed Potatoes
salt & pepper

Step One:  Start your lentils on to boil with a 2:1 ratio.  So for 1 1/2 cups of lentils, you'll need at least 3 cups of water.  We like our lentils a little softer so I allow them to boil a little longer and use more water if needed.

Cook your lentils separate! 

Step Two:  Start your potatoes on to boil for your mashed potato topping.  You'll be working on making your mashed potatoes while you're prepping the filling.

Step Three:  Dice your veggies and potato and saute in a little coconut or olive oil.  Add in spices.

Step Four:  Once your veggies are cooked, sprinkle with the flour and cook another minute or so.  You just want to "cook off" the flour flavor.  Now begin adding in your beef broth and milk.  The flour coating the veggies will allow the liquid to thicken up nicely.  Start by adding just one cup of milk and if you find that you need more, then add to it!  You do want it a little "liquidy" because you'll be adding your lentils to this mix and it will firm up as you cook it.

Finish with a little heavy cream if you like.  I typically use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

Step Five:  At this point, your lentils should be cooked.  Drain any remaining water and add them to your veggie mixture and turn the burner off.

Finish your mashed potatoes for the topping.  A word on this- I make my mashed potatoes with lots of butter, sour cream and a little milk.  So when making mashed potatoes as a topping (rather than a side dish) I still make them the exact same way.  Do not try to skimp out on delicious buttery mashed potatoes mmkay.  Just don't ok....

Step Six:  Assembly time!  Spray a glass 9 X 13 pan and dump in your veggie mixture.  Evenly layer your mashed potatoes on top and season the top with salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

Assembly Time!  

Bake at 350 for approximately 45 minutes to one hour.  You're really just combining flavors here as everything is already cooked, so just keep an eye on it.  Tip- you'll probably want to put a sheet pan underneath your glass baking dish as this WILL bubble over.  Yum!

Enjoy!!!

So good!