Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Into a large pot add Olive Oil (2 Tbsp) and heat for 30 seconds on medium-high heat. Add your Sweet Onion (1) and cook for around 5 minutes or until soft and translucent.

Add in your Garlic (3 cloves), Dried Basil (2 Tbsp), Dried Oregano (1 Tbsp), Ground Cumin (1 tsp), Ground Cinnamon (1/2 tsp), Ground Cloves (1/4 tsp). Stir until onion is well coated and turn heat to low to cook and marry for around 3 minutes. Stir often to avoid burning.

Into the pot add your Tomato Purée (3/4 cup), Tomato Paste (1/2 Tbsp), and Vegetable Broth Paste (1 Tbsp). Give this all a good stir and then increase heat to high before adding your Lentils (1 1/2 cups) and Veggie Ground Round (1 packet).

Let them sauté in the pan for 2 minutes before adding your Water (2 cups). Stir, stir, stir, bring to a boil then simmer for 20 minutes until thick and luscious like a traditional meat sauce. Set aside once done.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

While your “meat” sauce is simmering prepare your mashed potatoes by boiling water in a large stockpot. Season your water with Salt (to taste) and cook your White Potatoes (5) till very tender, which could take 15 minutes or so.

Strain your potatoes but absolutely do not rinse and return to pot. Add the Olive Oil (1 Tbsp), Almond Milk (1/4 cup), Vegan Butter (1 Tbsp), and 1 tsp Fresh Thyme and mash till extremely rich and creamy. Set aside.

Into a 13x8-inch baking dish transfer your “meat mixture” and lay it flat using a spatula. Begin dolloping your mashed potato onto the mixture and using a flat tool flatten it all out. I like using a fork to carve marks vertically and horizontally across the pie. This adds a fun texture and when it cooks gets nice and golden brown.

Before cooking, spray the mashed potatoes with an oil of your choice for that added golden color (you will thank me later if you do this).

Cook for 25 minutes before setting the oven to broil for 5 minutes. Watch closely so nothing burns but this is an amazing adding touch to the recipe!

Enjoy, garnished with Fresh Thyme (2 Tbsp) and your choice of steamed greens or veggies!