Hey all! What per week! Right here I’m developing for slightly air and respiration deeply on the considered a quiet weekend at dwelling – I really feel I’ve been slightly MIA right here the previous few days – we’ve simply completed up a whirlwind week of youngsters Christmas live shows, choirs, and items for lecturers and mates, to not point out craziness at work & the remainder of the prep for Christmas……it’s now formally time to breathe.
I gained’t go into particulars, however after my final put up precisely per week in the past at the moment, I used to be fairly rattled and running a blog actually was the furthest factor from my thoughts (it was at all times lurking again there although). With the husband being slightly below the climate, we battened down the hatches and caught round the home in our free moments (which there have been only a few of). It could be chilly & darkish outdoors, however tonight it’s heat & vibrant in the home. The youngsters are dwelling for 2 weeks now, and we get to be collectively. No soccer, no college, no working round. Simply us. How really blessed we’re! With all of the goodness time at dwelling with household brings, comes the reminiscences of favourite occasions spent across the desk with household as children. Nostalgic meals that carry us again to the secure locations the place we retailer and guard our coziest childhood reminiscences, and nonetheless maybe recall the tastes and smells of the meals we ate, and possibly even the tales we advised.
This recipe is that for me. Rising up, we ate Shepherd’s Pie with lentils usually, and at all times with straight mashed potatoes and possibly even ketchup (for us children). I’ve been which means to carry this again over time and should thank my good pal Danielle for the push (an enormous sure to the soaked walnuts and coconut butter!) and likewise to the Moosewood Cookbook, as I borrowed the perfect elements of Mollie’s notorious lentil mushroom burger for this as effectively. The end result is an ideal consolation meals to share with family members at any time, however notably fantastic on a chilly darkish evening like tonight, the darkest evening of the 12 months. Because of my mother for the unique inspiration behind this really scrumptious & extremely traditional recipe!
The Proteins:
(1) cup uncooked walnuts, soaked for 4-6 hours minimal or in a single day
(1) cup dry inexperienced lentils
(3) cups water for cooking lentils
(1) tsp salt
(1) tbsp ready Dijon mustard
The Greens:
(2) tbsp olive oil
(1/2) tsp salt
(1) giant onion, chopped finely
(10) giant white button mushrooms, chopped finely (about 5 cups whole)
(2) cloves recent garlic, minced
(2) cups inexperienced kale washed & chopped finely
(2) medium-large carrots, peeled & diced
(1) tsp salt (to style – that is non-compulsory however I like to recommend it)*
The Topping:
(4) yellow-fleshed medium potatoes, peeled & chopped (4-5 cups)
(1/4) cup uncooked cashews
(1/2) cup chilly water
(1-2) tbsp coconut butter (or any butter)
(1/2) tsp salt (non-compulsory)
olive oil for the highest whereas cooking
chopped recent parsley or chives to garnish
To arrange, begin by soaking the walnuts prematurely in sufficient water to cowl (you are able to do this both the evening earlier than or the morning of). To arrange for the pie, drain, rinse & chop the walnuts with a pointy knife to a rough chop and put aside in a bowl. Subsequent, mix the lentils and three cups of chilly water for cooking in a medium saucepan and produce to a boil. Flip the warmth down, and prepare dinner, partially lined for 30-40 minutes till the lentils are comfortable. Many of the water ought to get used up within the cooking however be happy to empty if wanted as soon as the lentils are comfortable, and likewise if the water is gone earlier than the cooking is completed be happy so as to add as required. Set the cooked (and drained if wanted) lentils in a bowl and blend with salt. Mash slightly along with your fingers or a spoon and put aside to chill.
Put together the greens for cooking and when prepared, warmth a big pan with olive oil over medium warmth. Add the onion and salt, and prepare dinner for 6-8 minutes or till comfortable. Add the chopped mushrooms and prepare dinner an extra 10 -12 minutes, till all the water is totally evaporated and the mushrooms are beginning to flip a wealthy brown. Add the garlic and prepare dinner 2 extra minutes till all the things is blended collectively (it’s going to scent superb). Take away this combination from the pan and put aside in a big mixing bowl. Utilizing the identical pan, add one other little bit of oil and re-heat on medium. Add the chopped carrots and prepare dinner for 3 minutes, stirring to coat effectively and prepare dinner evenly. Add the chopped kale and prepare dinner for 2-3 minutes additional, till the kale is vibrant inexperienced and simply softening. Take away from warmth and add to the onion/mushroom/garlic combination.
Subsequent, mix the peeled & chopped potatoes in a small pot with just a few inches of water. Convey the water to a boil with the lid on, and as soon as boiling, flip the warmth to medium and prepare dinner for 8-10 minutes with the lid on, till the potatoes are comfortable.Whereas the potatoes prepare dinner, mix the cashews & water in a blender and mix till easy – you need to have a creamy sauce with no lumps. Drain the cooked potatoes and mash them calmly with a fork, add the coconut butter, cashew cream, and non-compulsory salt and blend all effectively till you may have mild and fluffy mashed potatoes. Season to style and put aside. Subsequent, mix the cooked lentils, cooked greens, chopped walnuts and Dijon mustard collectively within the giant mixing bowl and blend along with your fingers till completely mixed.
*Test for salt and add an extra teaspoon in case you like.
When able to prepare dinner, warmth the oven to 350 levels. Oil a normal glass pie plate (my mother used to serve hers in a forged iron fry-pan) and unfold the complete filling combination on the underside. Unfold to make it even and condensed. Subsequent, unfold the mashed potatoes over prime of the filling. Use a fork to make ‘waves’ on the highest (or nevertheless you prefer it!) and prime with a beneficiant swirl or two of olive oil. Bake the pie uncovered within the oven for 40 minutes, till good golden crispy crust kinds on the potatoes. Take away from the oven and serve sizzling, with or with out chopped recent parsley or chives as a garnish. Leftovers maintain very effectively and are additionally nice chilly (I converse from expertise right here!)
