Use any variety of root veg you have on hand. You can use kidney beans or firm white beans in place of the chick peas. I season this with Smoked Sea Salt to give a gentle earthy flavor. You can add cooked diced chicken or ground beef as the bottom layer for a more traditional Pot Pie.
Ingredients
3 large White Potatoes, scrubbed or peeled and chopped big
2 large Sweet Potatoes or Yams, peeled and chopped big
1/2 head Cauliflower
11/2 cups dried green Lentils (don't use red lentils...too mushy)
1 Onion, chopped
4 cloves Garlic, peeled, chopped
2 Leeks, chopped
Splash of Sherry Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar or Soy Sauce
Smoked Sea Salt and Ground Pepper
4 Carrots, chopped
2 Parsnips. peeled chopped
2 Zucchini or 2 cups Squash, chopped
12 Mushrooms, quartered
handful of Cherry Tomatoes, halved or a handful of Sundried Tomatoes
big glug of Red Wine
handful of Parsley, chopped
2 sprigs Thyme, pulled off the stalk
1-2 cups Veggie Broth
1 can Chick Peas or Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained (I use boxed....I hate cans)
Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the Lentils and bring to boil with water to cover by 2 inches, reduce heat and simmer, covered until tender but still holding their shape....about 15-20 minutes, rinse and drain if there is extra water. You many have to add a bit of water while cooking to just keep them covered
Heat 1/2 cup Veggie Broth in a pressure cooker, add White Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower
Lock lid in place, bring to pressure and cook 7-9 minutes. Let pressure come down naturally
Alternatively, bring Broth and enough water to cover Potatoes. Cook White Potatoes about 10 minutes. then add the Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower and bring back to boil simmer 15-20 minutes until tender and drain, cover and set aside
Saute the Onions, Leeks, Garlic and Salt and Pepper in a splash of Olive Oil until soft
Add a generous splash of Vinegar or Soy Sauce and let simmer another 5 minutes or so
Add the remaining Veg, 1 cup of Broth and Red Wine and simmer 10 minutes
Add the Herbs, Beans and Lentils stirring gently to combine, let everything simmer until hot
Tip Veg mixture into a big oven proof casserole or individual oven proof bowls
Mash the Potatoes. If you pressure cooked them, just mash them up, broth and all. If you boiled them you may have to had some Milk or Soy Cream or Sour Cream or Creme Freche....whatever you like. Season with Salt and Pepper
Pile the Mash on top of the casserole or the bowl, sealing around the edges.
You can grate some cheese on top if you like
Place on a baking sheet and bake at 200c or 180f 20-30 minutes until brown and bubbling
Recipe by Healthy Mama Cooks at http://www.healthymamacooks.com/vegetarian-or-not-winter-pot-pie/