Meatless Shepherd's Pie - Easily Converts to Meat Version

Vegan recipe from Jan Young

This is a much requested meal at our Juice Plus training camps. Great vegan dish that is packed with nutrition and taste. Try it with your family and you may have some converts.

Ingredients & Preparation

• 1/2 cup lentils, uncooked
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 3/4tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 cup bulgur wheat
• 1 cup carrots, sliced and cooked
• 1 cup zucchini, chopped and cooked
• 1 cup yellow squash, chopped and cooked
• 1 cup frozen beans, thawed
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
• 5 or 6 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• *Please see note about vegetables
• 1tbsp butter, melted
• 1tbsp Tamari
• 2tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cup water

Step 1: Start by cooking the lentils and bulgur wheat

Add lentils, water to cover and bay leaf to heavy saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add bulgur wheat and garlic salt to lentils, cover and set aside for 10 minutes. After wheat has absorbed the water drain off any excess liquid.

Make gravy by melting 1-tablespoon butter and adding 1 tablespoon Tamari and 2 heaping tablespoons flour. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Make the Mashed Potatoes

Cover the chopped potatoes with salted water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and continue to cook until potatoes are tender. Drain and mash potatoes with 3 or 4 tablespoons and sea salt to taste. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the pie

Layer bottom of baking dish with gravy, bulgur wheat, lentils, onions, tomatoes and sautéed vegetables. Top all with mashed potatoes.

Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until bubbly.

This dish can be made with ground beef or turkey. If using meat omit the first five ingredients and brown the meat and follow remaining directions. Layer the meat on the bottom of pan instead of the lentils and bulgur wheat. Use whatever vegetables you like using 5 or 6 cups of vegetables.