Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 cake tofu, frozen, thawed, and shredded
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
• 1/2 lemon, juice of (about 1 tbsp)
• 1 -2 tablespoon tamari soy sauce, to taste
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 lb mushroom, sliced
• 3 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
• 1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups hot potato water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch, disolved in 1/2 cup water

Recipe

• 1 to freeze-thaw and shred tofu: freezing tofu gives it a chewy texture which adds textural variety to casseroles. to perform this step, place the cake of tofu on a plate in the freezer, lightly covered with plastic wrap. in a couple hours, the tofu will be solidly frozen. thaw the tofu for about 24 hours in the fridge. the thawed tofu block will resemble a sponge. gently squeeze the water out. then, grate the tofu by hand or in a food processor.
• 2 for the tofu layer, saute the chopped onions in the oil with the thyme, coriander, and black pepper until the onions are translucent.
• 3 stir in the chopped walnuts and shredded tofu.
• 4 when heated through, stir in lemon juice and soy sauce. remove from heat.
• 5 to make the mashed potatoes, place the cubed potatoes in a saucepan and cover with lightly salted water.
• 6 bring to a boil, and then simmer the potatoes until soft.
• 7 drain, saving the hot potato water to use in the gravy.
• 8 mash the potatoes with the butter and milk. salt to taste.
• 9 for the gravy, heat the oil in a skillet.
• 10 stir in the mushrooms, soy sauce, and black pepper.
• 11 saute, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender.
• 12 add 1 1/2 cups of the potato water and bring to a boil.
• 13 slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook at a low boil, continuing to stir, until the gravy is clear and thick.
• 14 oil a 9 inch square casserole dish or use a 10 inch round cast iron skillet.
• 15 layer the tofu mixture, then the mushroom gravy, and then the mashed potatoes.
• 16 dot the top with butter or margarine.
• 17 bake at 400°f for 15-20 minutes until the top becomes golden.