Shepherd-Free Vegan Shepherds Pie with Garlic Chive Potato Crust
Hearty Shepherds Pie is classic Irish comfort food. This vegan, plant-based recipe uses a simple filling of carrots, onions, and peas. Then it's topped with a dairy-free Garlic Chive Potato crust. Enjoy this oil-free, gluten-free dish for your next dinner party or savor on a cold winter night.
To make the Garlic Chive Mashed Potato Crust: Place potatoes and garlic cloves into a large pot and cover with water. Cover with a lid, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. While potatoes cook, start working on the vegan shepherds pie filling.
To make the Vegan Shepherds Pie filling: Heat a wide pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced carrot, celery, and onion to the pan. Cover and let brown over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes
When the onions are starting to brown around the edges, add the tomato paste, rosemary, and sage. Stir well to combine. Cover and cook 1-2 minutes, until tomato paste darkens.
Add the brown rice flour and stir well to coat all of the veggies. Cook until flour is no longer white, another minute or two.
Add 2 cups of water (or vegetable stock). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Partially cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. The filling is ready when the carrots are tender, but not mushy.
Remove the lid to cook off excess liquid. Simmer until thick and stew-like. Turn off heat when you reach this point. Stir in the frozen peas.
To finish Mashed Potato Crust and Make Pies: When potatoes are done, check that they can easily slide off a paring knife. Drain the potatoes. Return back to your hot pot. Immediately add the almond milk, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, and chives. Use a potato masher to mash well. Your Garlic Chive Potato Crust is ready.
To finish the Shepherd's Pies: Pour filling mixture into 4 individual pie tins (or use one larger tin for sharing). Spread the Garlic Chive Mashed Potatoes over the stew mix.
Place under the "Hi" broiler for just 4-5 minutes, until golden on top.
Serve with a big hug.
Yield: 1 big pie or 4 little pies
Notes
Medium | Servings: 4 | Ready In: 35 minutes | Yield: 1 big (or 4 small) Shepherds Pies