Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Method

1. 1Cook the lentils. Place the rinsed lentils in a saucepan with plenty of cold water (no salt — it toughens the skin). Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until tender but still holding their shape — they should have a slight bite, not be mushy. They will cook further in the oven. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F.
2. 2Build the filling. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep ovenproof pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook 7 to 8 minutes until soft and golden. Add the carrots and celery and cook 5 minutes more. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes — let them release their liquid and then let that liquid evaporate before moving on. Add the garlic and herbs and stir for 60 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook it in the pan for 2 minutes, stirring, until it darkens slightly and smells roasted rather than raw. This step adds real depth.
3. 3Simmer the gravy. Pour in the vegetable stock and soy sauce. Stir to scrape up anything on the bottom of the pan. Add the drained lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the mixture has thickened and most of the stock has been absorbed. The filling should be moist but not soupy — it should hold its shape when spooned. Stir in the frozen peas. Taste and season generously with salt and black pepper. Let the filling cool for 15 minutes before adding the mash.
4. 4Make the mashed potato topping. Cook the quartered potatoes in well-salted boiling water for 15 to 18 minutes until completely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain thoroughly and return to the hot pan over low heat for 1 minute to steam off excess moisture — dry potatoes mash to a much better texture. Add the vegan butter and plant milk. Mash until smooth and creamy with no lumps. Taste and season with salt and white pepper. The mash should be thick enough to hold its shape when spooned — if it's too runny, it will sink into the filling.
5. 5Assemble and bake. Spoon the filling into a large baking dish (about 25 × 30 cm) if you haven't used an ovenproof pan. Let it sit for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Spoon dollops of mash evenly over the surface, then use the back of a spoon or a spatula to spread it gently into an even layer. Drag a fork across the top to create ridges — these catch the heat and brown faster. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is golden in places and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Finish under the grill for 2 to 3 minutes if you want deeper color. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.