VEGETARIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 2h20m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
10 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, such as Annie's Naturals
1 dried bay leaf
1 cup French green lentils, picked over
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup frozen peas
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup whole milk, warmed

Steps:

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add Worcestershire, bay leaf, 4 cups water, and lentils; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Stir in peas; remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place potatoes and garlic in a medium saucepan; cover with 2 inches of cold water. Season generously with salt; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until a knife pierces potatoes easily, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain; return potatoes and garlic to pot. Add butter and milk; mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer lentil mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Dollop with mashed potatoes; spread evenly to edges. Transfer to a baking sheet; bake until golden and bubbling around edges, about 15 minutes. Let stand 20 minutes; serve.