Vegetarian Shepards Pie

I have been asked for a while to do a vegetarian dish. I used to be a vegetarian years back and suffered a lot of stomach issues - not realizing I cannot digest tofu. My doctor had me convert back to eating more animal protein with a focus on lamb and fish.

I do love vegetarian dishes and was inspired today to post my Vegetarian Shepards pie because a friend of mine recently posted a pic of hers.

The great thing about a vegetarian Shepards pie is the sky is the limit on what to use for both the center of the dish and as a topping. Of course, mashed potatoes are fantastic but so is mashed butternut squash and mashed sweet potatoes.

For a meat feel I would suggest trying portobello mushrooms or an organic fancy mushroom mix. Skip of course if you do not like mushrooms. However if you do use mushrooms chop and sautee first with lots of salt and black pepper and even a little vegetable broth. You can add into the mushrooms a bit of marsala to flavor or even brandy.

Add also a nice red onion or yellow onion and get it all caramelized.

Use this mixture as your bottom.

What I do next is slice at an angle 2-3 zucchini and 2-3 summer squash. Lightly season with olive oil and in a screaming hot non stick skillet or (a grill pan) sear the zucchini and summer squash until a nice char appears but the vegetable slices still have crunch.

Season both with either salt and pepper or add paprika, Emeril’s or a seasoning mix.

Layer onto the onion mixture the seared zucchini and summer squash until you are satisfied that you have a nice thick layer.

Next - add whatever you love in your Shepards pie. Sliced and steamed carrots and peas, baby onions, roasted butternut squash..etc.

Lightly season this layer as you wish.

Top your Shepards pie with mashed white or sweet potatoes or even mashed butternut squash. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.

Quick Tip - if you love both white mashed potatoes and butternut squash - consider roasting a butternut squash which you have cut into small chunks and add either on top of the zucchini and summer squash or use this instead of these vegetables.

The key is to use a variety of different vegetables and roast or sear the vegetables for max flavor.

**Quick Tip - one other version for a vegetarian Shepards pie is to do a variety of onions, both red and white along with roasted fennel or maybe sauté cabbage. Layer as much of the casserole dish with all that you have selected. Top with mashed potatoes and finish with chopped scallions or parsley after removing from the oven. I have made this kind of mashed potato pie and served it with a grilled lamb and it was fabulous.

Have Fun with this wonderfully versatile vegetarian dish!

ENJOY!!