Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Ms*Bindy's Note:

This tofu version of a shepherd's pie is certainly not very traditional, but this recipe still makes for a hearty meal. This Shepherd's Pie is a casserole combining a tofu saute, mashed potatoes, and mushroom gravy. If you perform the 3 steps concurrently, you will shorten the preparation time. You should start the freeze-thaw tofu procedure the day before you expect to make the casserole. Prep time does not include thawing time for tofu. I like it even better the second day.From the Moosewood Collective.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

Tofu Layer

• 1 cake tofu , frozen, thawed, and shredded
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
• ½ cup walnuts , toasted and chopped
• ½ lemon, juice of (about 1 Tbsp)
• 1 -2 tablespoon tamari soy sauce , to taste

Potato Layer

• 4 large potatoes , peeled and cubed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup milk
• salt

Mushroom Gravy

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ lb mushroom , sliced
• 3 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
• 1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
• 1 ½ cups hot potato water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch , disolved in 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. To freeze-thaw and shred tofu: Freezing tofu gives it a chewy texture which adds textural variety to casseroles. To perform this step, place the cake of tofu on a plate in the freezer, lightly covered with plastic wrap. In a couple hours, the tofu will be solidly frozen. Thaw the tofu for about 24 hours in the fridge. The thawed tofu block will resemble a sponge. Gently squeeze the water out. Then, grate the tofu by hand or in a food processor.
2. For the tofu layer, saute the chopped onions in the oil with the thyme, coriander, and black pepper until the onions are translucent.
3. Stir in the chopped walnuts and shredded tofu.
4. When heated through, stir in lemon juice and soy sauce. Remove from heat.
5. To make the mashed potatoes, place the cubed potatoes in a saucepan and cover with lightly salted water.
6. Bring to a boil, and then simmer the potatoes until soft.
7. Drain, saving the hot potato water to use in the gravy.
8. Mash the potatoes with the butter and milk. Salt to taste.
9. For the gravy, heat the oil in a skillet.
10. Stir in the mushrooms, soy sauce, and black pepper.
11. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender.
12. Add 1 1/2 cups of the potato water and bring to a boil.
13. Slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook at a low boil, continuing to stir, until the gravy is clear and thick.
14. Oil a 9 inch square casserole dish or use a 10 inch round cast iron skillet.
15. Layer the tofu mixture, then the mushroom gravy, and then the mashed potatoes.
16. Dot the top with butter or margarine.
17. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until the top becomes golden.

Reviews

[Onehornedone]

This recipe was a huge hit at a potluck with all non-veg people but me! I made ghosts out of the mashed potatoes for Halloween. Added 3 cloves garlic and subbed red bell pepper for onion. Made it gluten-free. Also, I froze the tofu before removing from package and pressing dry - still turned out amazing! My British grandma always has this or meat pie for family meals, now I will have my own to bring.

[Chef Pollo]

Oh my goodness, I never rated this excellent recipe. That's it folks, this is great. Leftovers fanatastic. Add a side of pickled beets and you are in veggie heaven. We've made this many times and have never been disappointed. So glad for the recipe, thank you.

[bluemoon downunder]

I’d already saved this recipe with the intention of making it and, when I came back to it and read Caroline’s recently-posted review, any doubts (because like Caroline the steps involved with the freezing and unfreezing of the tofu were also unfamiliar to me!) I had had were dispelled. And I’m so glad to have found this recipe to add to the vegetarian recipes I am happy to make regularly. The instructions were great. The only change I made to the ingredients was to add several cloves of chopped garlic when sautéing the onion. The blend of flavours were wonderful. If you love vegetarian dishes, give this one a try! A 5+ recipe! Thanks so much for sharing it Bunny Mom!