Recipe - Shepherd's Pie

There is something comforting about Shepherd's Pie.  So homey and pleasant.  Carb lover that I am, the last bite for me is always the potato part.

This is a recipe for Shepherd's Pie vegetarian/vegan style.  Choose which you would like.  The "meat" part in the bottom layer is chunks of black bean burger.  It is just the right touch to add to this dish.

If you are a cheese eater, sprinkle some cheese on top as it goes into the oven.

Traditional Style Shepherd's Pie

INGREDIENTS

Mashed potato layer:
5	russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2	cup sour cream or vegan mayonnaise
1/2	cup milk or non-dairy milk
1/4	cup vegetable broth
3	tablespoons cream cheese or vegan cream cheese substitute (such as Tofutti ®)
1 1/2	teaspoons salt
2	cloves garlic, minced
Bottom layer:
3	tablespoons vegetable broth
1	large yellow onion, chopped
1	carrot, chopped
2	stalks celery, chopped
1/2	cup frozen peas
1	clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
1	pinch ground black pepper to taste
1	teaspoon thyme
1	teaspoon oregano
2	veggie burgers or black bean burgers
	Gravy
Gravy 1          cup vegetable broth thickened with flour or 1 Tbls cornstarch

INSTRUCTIONS

1.	Place the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat to medium-low, and boil the potatoes until tender, about 25 minutes; drain.
2.	Stir the sour cream, rice milk, vegetable broth, cream cheese, and salt into the potatoes, and mash with a potato masher until smooth and fluffy. Set the potatoes aside.
3.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C), and spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
4.	Heat the vegetable broth in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion, carrots, celery, frozen peas until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the seasonings, garlic, and pepper.
5.	Reduce the heat to medium-low, and crumble the burgers into the skillet with the vegetables. Cook and stir until the mixture is hot, about 5 minutes.
6.	Spread the burger/vegetable mixture into the bottom of the baking dish, and top with the mashed potatoes, smoothing them into an even layer.
7.	Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is hot, about 20 minutes.