Prep Time: 45-50 min | Cook + Bake Time: 1 to 1 hr 15 min | Serves: 4 | Difficulty Level: ♦♦♦ – Intermediate
the “ground meat”
- 3 cups veggie broth
- 2 cups yams, grated
- 1 ½ cup green lentils
- 1 cup green peas
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
the potato puree
- 4 large yellow potatoes
- ¼ cup oat or soy milk
- 2 tbsp butter, plant-based
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- 1 tsp dry Dalmatian sage
the “meat”
In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Peel and chop the carrots into small ½” rounds. Set aside. With the help of a knife, crush, peel, and dice the garlic. Set aside.
When the water has reached a boil, rinse the green lentils under cold tap water. Place the lentils, garlic, and carrots in the pot. Add the salt, bay leaves, mustard, ketchup, and liquid smoke and stir with a spoon. Cook for 10-12 minutes.
Add the grated yam and green peas to the lentils and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the mixture reaches a consistency similar to ground beef. Set aside until ready to assemble the dish.
the potato puree
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Peel, rinse, and quarter the potatoes. Place them in the boiling water and cook for 20 minutes or until completely cooked. To know if they are ready, insert a fork into the quartered potato, and if you encounter minimal resistance, the potatoes are cooked.
Drain and return the potatoes to the pot. With the help of a masher, press the potatoes energetically to form a puree. Add the butter, milk, salt, and herbs and stir with a wooden spoon over a slow flame. Continue to stir and mash until no lumps are left and the potato puree is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
assembling the pie
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Grease 4 10 oz. ramekins and fill them with the lentil “ground meat” to reach ¼” from the rim. Level out the lentil filling with the help of a small spoon or spatula. Put the potato mash in a piping bag, with your attachment of choice, and pipe rosettes on top of the lentils.
Place the ramekins in the oven and bake for 15 min, or broil on low for 7-8 min. Serve warm or room temperature.
Happy Imbolc 2024.
