gardener's pie






In honor of St. Patrick's day I made a vegan version of a Sheppard's pie. I had leftovers in the refrigerator that needed to be used and this was the perfect recipe to use them in.  I sauteed my veggies in vegetable broth (otherwise I'd have used white wine) I really don't drink that much but I'm giving up the sauce for Lent, which is proving harder than I thought it'd be.  I slipped over this last weekend but I'm determinedly back on the wagon, or is it off the wagon? Anyway...


Gardener's Pie

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 celery rib chopped
1 or 2 carrots sliced
3 cups mixed vegetables
1/2 cup cooked lentils (optional)
1/2 cup vegetable broth or white wine
1 cup white sauce
2 cups mashed potatoes

Saute the onion, celery and carrots until soft but still with some bite in them
Add the 3 cups mixed veggies - I used mushrooms and peas and I also added the lentils
Cook until all the veggies are heated through
Add the vegetable broth.
Simmer until all the broth has been absorbed by the veggies
Stir in basic white sauce
Put in 9" pie pan
Cover with 2 cups mashed potatoes

White Sauce

2 T Earth Balance
2 T flour
1 cup soy milk

Melt margarine and then whisk in flour until thoroughly mixed
Pour in soy milk and bring to boil
As soon as sauce is thickened remove from heat
Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 t pepper

Bake at 400 degrees for 1/2 hour

Really this recipe sounds harder than it is.  It is so forgiving.  You can use any veggie combo that you like. You can skip the white sauce.  You could do a pastry top or a puff pastry top. You really can't go wrong.
The point is to use what you have and what's easy.



As you can see my grocery total is only $17 for the first week of March.  We were in Utah for a few days so that's why it is so low.  I'm still amazed at how this grocery thing is keeping me on track spending-wise.  We are only 2 weeks away from the start of the second quarter of the year.  Our goal is to pay off the house in 5 years or 60 months.  So only 56 more months to go.  :)

23 comments

  1. Looks delicious and as a gal with Irish roots I have never met a potato that I haven't wanted to devour!
    Mashed spuds are one of my favourites so I know I'd love this pie :-))
    Happy St. patricks Day Janet!

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  2. I am going to the fridge right now--to see what I have that needs "using" right away. I may not make a gardener's pie but I will make something. I have a loaf of Irish Soda Bread cooling on the counter as I type. Happy St Paddy's.

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  3. Janet if you continue to post such delicious looking and easy meals I will have no excuse for not becoming completely vegan!
    you are an inspiration in so many ways!
    Darby

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  4. Your version sounds delicious. Shepard's pie was a staple growing up....I think that is how my mom survived raising four teenagers (including two boys who ate everything), by herself.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day. As I am Irish Protestant (not trying to start a WAR here folks), just sayin', I am wearing my orange today.
    blessings to you all, jill

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    Replies
    1. What do you think wearing orange symbolizes? If you are a) Irish and b) Protestant, you would still believe in St. Patrick. Wearing orange symbolized allegiance to the English crown. I actually think you did post to start a WAR, but since you are misinformed, your post has little effect other than showing off your poor education. BTW, instead of deriding an Irish holy day, perhaps you'd prefer to celebrate and Irish Protestant holiday on July 12th - and no, I won't be wearing green.

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  5. Our Shepherdess pie (the veggie version of shepherd's) is usually filled with lentils. This looks a tasty alternative (if you miss out the yukky celery!)
    No booze? No way! Hats off to you, Juanita. xxx

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  6. Yum. I would say definitely yes to the lentils -- not optional for me! Great protein source, and I think they would make this dish hearty. I'll be trying this recipe, for sure.

    Regarding Lent, I've given up chocolate and it's proving very difficult. Last year I gave up wine, which wasn't too hard for me. But chocolate is really hard! I keep reminding myself, however, that it's not supposed to be easy.
    Claudia

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  7. This sounds fabulous!! Wow...paying off your house in less than 6 years!! That will feel so fantastic. I thought of giving up wine for Lent, but decided to give up swearing instead. It's harder for me :-))

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  8. Firm believer where there is a will there is a way.
    Really, a book, your book, would also help pay off your mortgage. You have such a loyal audience and we are all in awe of your discipline, simplicity and joy in life.
    pve

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  9. Those of you who have given up something for Lent, you do realize that Sunday's are considered feast day and you can have the chocolate or wine you gave up for that day only.

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  10. This looks so good! I really enjoy making your recipes. Thank you!
    Suzanne

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  11. Janet,
    Here's the link to my blog dear,
    http://www.pvedesign.com/blog/
    pve

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  12. Thanks for posting! You have inspired me to focus on simplicity. Keep what I love and donate the rest. I have been spending about 3 hours a week organizing/downsizing and everytime I do it, I feel less weight on my shoulders.

    Any other good ideas/recipes for this weekend? I love the ceasar salad (have it every night).

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  13. Thanks, Janet. I have been bookmarking your recipes for ages and got as far as buying some nutritional yeast flakes to make your Caesar salad in the autumn, but even though it's been a mild winter in the Uk, we haven't felt like salad yet.
    But this was perfect to use up lots of leftovers. We left out the white sauce and didn't bother to put the completed dish in the oven, just put the mash on top of the veg mix and stuck it under the grill to brown, so even more economical. Delicious :-)

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    Replies
    1. glad you liked it and glad you tweaked it. i think it's good just about any way i make it. depending on the time and energy i have. :) wait'll you try that caesar dressing!!!

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    2. I'm waiting for this cold spell to pass and then I'm going to try some healthy new recipes. In fact I've blogged about it today, including your pie, and some amazing raw food desserts I've found that actually hit the spot! http://www.workfromhomewisdom.com/2014/03/24/healthy-eating-home-workers/

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  14. To the website owner.. If these posts require approval, please remove Jill's post. It is offensive to anyone who is either Irish or Catholic. Thousands of Irish died trying to defend Ireland from the English protestants that overran Northern Ireland. Jill's post is no different than suggesting one wear Union Jacks on Independence day or worse. The post from Jill (spelling errors included) is insulting.

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  15. Hi, Janet. Thank you for this delicious recipe. I made it tonight and the whole family loved it, even my picky eater and the baby! Ours was just vegetarian, not vegan, and I used portabella mushrooms, green beans, and parsnips for my veggie mix. Making the lentils and potatoes ahead made it all come together quickly at dinner time. Reading your blog is always a highlight for me and I learn so much from you!

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  16. I came looking for this recipe and have been enjoying going back through these older posts and remembering how helpful and inspirational they were for me. Your blog was a beautiful place of calm for me when my days were crazy with my little kids making messes everywhere. Thank you for creating this lovely and welcoming space online and sharing your thoughts, your goals, your recipes, and most of all your encouragement with us. Wishing you all the best!

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kindness is never out of style.

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