Shepherdess Pie

Shepherd's Pie is a traditional British meal, made with either beef or lamb and other veggies, topped with mashed potatoes and is baked.  Shepherdess Pie is the vegetarian twist, courtesy my new cookbook, Food for Thought.

When M and I went to London last year, the first meal we had was at this little restaurant called Food for Thought, located in Covent Garden.  It's been around since the 1970's and espouses the idea that you can have great food that happens to be vegetarian.  The entrance immediately has you at the top of a skinny steep staircase; at the bottom is the kitchen, a counter from which to place your order, and a smattering of small tables crammed into this very small space.  The meal we had was nothing short of Amazing.  I still think about that meal as one of the best I've ever had.  My only disappointment is not getting a picture or two!

Recently, I got the idea to purchase their cookbook (one for Martin, one for me) and this recipe of Shepherdess Pie was the first we tried.  (The thought has crossed my mind to do a Julie & Julia Experiment with this cookbook ... )

Leeks and smoked paprika

After sauteing, with veggie broth, with roasted parsnips in the background

Sadly, the recipe got a lot more complicated after this so there are no further pics to document this dish.  Suffice it to say that the parsnips (with some other roasted veggies) were topped with the sauce above with a couple of cans of beans (adzuki and red?), topped again with mashed potatoes.  Hearty stuff!