Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie - total time 50 minutes

Most traditional Irish food includes meat, but that doesn't mean it can't be transformed into a satisfying vegetarian meal.  Filled with root vegetables, this is a perfect winter meal or to celebrate the end of winter with Saint Patrick's Day.


1 cup lentils
1 bay leaf
4 carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1.5 cup brussel sprouts, sliced
1 cup spinach, chopped
.5 cup Guinness
2 cups potatoes
3 garlic cloves
.5 cup sour cream
3 tbsp butter
1 sprig rosemary, chopped
salt and pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Rinse lentils, transfer to pot, add two cups of water and bay leaf, and simmer for 15 minutes.
2.  Boil potatoes in water for 8 minutes.  Saute garlic and onion in one tablespoon of butter in pan.  Add carrots, brussel sprouts, salt, and pepper and cook for about five minutes.
3.  Add cooked lentils and Guinness to pan with vegetables.  Simmer for 10 minutes or until Guinness is incorporated.
4.  Mash potatoes with 2 tablespoons of butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and rosemary.  Transfer vegetables into ramekins or a medium-sized casserole dish.  Top with mashed potatoes.
5.  Bake for 20 minutes.