Vegetarian Shepherds Pie

This is an alternative to the traditional recipe for this popular meal. It's straightforward and the ingredients can all be got in your local supermarket. It's a recipe taken from a leaflet ' A Simple Guide to Healthy Eating' from the Vegetarian Society of Ireland.

Ingredients:-

2 tbspns vegetable oil

8oz mixed brown and green lentils

2 medium onions, chopped

2 medium carrots, grated

4oz mushrooms, chopped

1 dessertspns tomato puree

1 tblspns soy sauce

salt and pepper, to season

11/2 lbs. mashed potatoes

Method:-

1. Soak lentils for 1 hour. Then simmer gently until tender - about 1/2 hour.

2. Fry vegetables in oil for about 10 mins. Add tomato puree and fry a further few mins, allowing puree to turn slightly brown on bottom of saucepan.

3. Add lentils, soy sauce and seasoning to taste to the saucepan with the vegetables.

4. Put mixture into pie dish, spread with mashed potatoes.

5. Bake in oven Mark 6 ( 440 degrees F) for 30 - 40 minutes, until top is golden brown.

6. Serve with green vegetables.