Vegetarian Shepherd's (Cottage) Pie

So, Mum was cooking Shepard's Pie for the family a couple weeks ago and I used to be such a huge fan of Shepherd's Pie in my pre-vegetarian days, so I decided to see if I could make a good alternative that didn't taste like it was trying too hard... and it worked. Yum, so good. Here's the recipe:

Serves 6 (although I adapted the measurements extremely inaccurately and made it for one).

2 T olive oil (I used veggie)

1 large onion

2 c. cooked brown lentils

1 c. stock

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 T chopped parsley

1 T chopped mixed fresh herbs (or ½ tsp. dried)

salt and pepper

3 c. mashed potatoes

6 T light cream (or milk)

1 egg, lightly beaten

¼ c. butter, melted

grated Parmesan cheese/paprika

Heat oil and fry onion until soft. Mix in lentils, stock, W sauce, salt and pepper. Cook until heated through and lentils nicely browned. Spoon into a well-greased deep casserole dish.

Blend potatoes with the cream, egg and half the melted butter and spread over the lentil mixture. Brush the top with the remaining butter and sprinkle with grated cheese (or paprika, or both). Bake at 375F for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy eating with the family. (Make sure you have dished all you want before your non-vegetarian dinner company realises how good your version is.)

Lentil Skillet Delight

Well...one day my parents went out to the vegetable garden and put me in charge of making dinner. So I proceeded to make a scrumptious lentil skillet per my mother's recipe. While doing so I had my good friend Kayla on the phone who voiced her deep desire to know how to make such a scrumptious skillet for herself! So here goes:
You need:

• approx. 4 hamburger patties (or as much ground beef as you deem necessary)
• 1 large can of lentils
• 1 small to medium onion finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
  
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• some ground pepper

Once you've gathered all these yummy ingredients (I realize half the audience will not eat this scrumptious dish as you are vegetarians...oh well...):

-brown the ground beef and then drain
- add chopped onions and garlic
- add lentils with juice from can
Let simmer a little bit...
-add cumin, salt, and a sprinkle of pepper
Let simmer on low, covered for 15-20 min or until cooked to satisfaction.

This can be served over rice or pasta...though I prefer rice! And I tend to sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for extra yummyness.
Enjoy!