The Ingredients
1 onion
2 carrots
2 celery sticks
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons softened butter
200g Quorn mince (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon plain flour
½ tablespoon tomato puree
200ml reduced sodium vegetable stock (made from ½ a cube)
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
100g frozen peas
3 medium potatoes
4 tablespoons low fat milk (1.5% fat)
100g sugar snap peas
salt (optional) and freshly ground black pepper
The Method
Cut the onion in half and peel off the skin, then finely chop. Peel the carrots and cut into dice with the celery. Peel the garlic and crush.
Heat a frying pan over a medium heat. Add half of the butter and once it is melted tip in the onion, carrots, celery and garlic, stirring to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Add the Quorn mince to the pan and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for 1 minute, then hen stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the stock with the soy sauce, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and then cook for 4-5 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the frozen peas and place in a small ovenproof dish. Set aside to allow a skin to form. This will make it easier to spread the potatoes in an even layer on top.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), gas mark 4. Peel the potatoes and cut into dice. Place in a saucepan fitted with a petal steamer over a medium heat and add a pinch of salt, if using. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender. To check, piece one with the tip of a sharp knife and you should feel no resistance. Tip into a bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper, then beat in the rest of the butter with the milk. Spoon the mash on top of the mince, starting with dollops around the edges and finishing with the middle. Spread around with a table knife until you have a nice even layer and then bake for 25-30 minutes until piping hot and golden brown.
About 5 minutes before the pie is due to come out of the oven, put a saucepan fitted with a petal steamer over a medium heat. Add the sugar snap peas and cook for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Drain and arrange on plates with the meatless Shepherd’s pie to serve.
