Guinness Lentil Shepherds Pie with White Cheddar Potato Crust

Guinness Lentil Shepherds Pie with White Cheddar Potato Crust

We have been wanting to try a shepherds pie for quite some time now and felt that St. Patrick's Day was the perfect opportunity! You can omit the pancetta and white cheddar if you would like to make this strictly vegetarian. You can also switch out the lentils for ground lamb or beef. Many options and variations on this one. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 bag, Trader Joe's frozen mashed potatoes

2 cups grated white cheddar cheese

1/4 cup milk

kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

1 cup dry green lentils, rinshed

2 leeks, sliced and rinsed well

4 carrots peeled and chopped

4-6 cremini mushrooms diced

4 ounces pancetta (optional)

1/2 cup Guinness Stout

1 cup vegetable or chicken stock

1 tablespoon butter

4 sprigs thyme

1 bay leaf

fresh Italian flat leaf parsley

Directions:

1. In the skillet you plan to bake your pie in add olive oil. Then add garlic and leeks and sauté. Then add in your carrots and mushrooms, thyme and a splash of stock and butter. Season with kosher salt and pepper and let simmer. In a small skillet brown pancetta, when crispy add pancetta and drippings to veggies.

2. Rinse your green lentils. Then add to skillet and mix well. Add your Guinness and rest of your stock. Add one bay leaf to lentils then cover with lid for 15 minutes. You don’t want lentils too done as they are going into the oven.

3. Preheat oven to 350. Then add your frozen mashed potatoes to a microwave safe dish with milk. Cover and cook for 6 minutes. Remove from microwave then add salt & pepper and two cups grated cheddar. Mix well. Return to microwave for 6 more minutes.

4. When lentils are done, smooth to an even layer and remove your bay leaf. Then top with your mashed potato mixture and smooth evenly over the top of your lentils. Place in oven and back at 350 for 25 minutes and then broil for the last few minutes. When done, let rest for a few minutes and serve! Top with fresh chopped parsley. This dish would also be nice along side a simple green salad.