Chard and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
We swapped out ground beef for mushrooms, lentils, and chard in this supersavory, hefty shepherd’s pie. You can make both the filling and the potatoes 2 to 3 days before to save time (the dish takes 65 to 75 minutes total).
Ingredients
- 1 stick 4 ounces unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ medium yellow onion chopped
- Kosher salt to taste
- 4 cups chopped mixed mushrooms
- 2 to 3 Roma tomatoes cored and chopped
- 1 cup cooked French lentils
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup whole milk warmed
- 1 cup grated Caerphilly or other semi-firm crumbly cheese, divided
- 4 to 5 chard leaves stems discarded, chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup corn kernels no need to thaw if frozen
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. When butter foams, add tomato paste and onion and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion is soft. Stir in a pinch of salt, then add mushrooms. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until mushrooms are cooked and their juices have mostly evaporated. Add tomatoes, reduce heat to medium, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add lentils and stir to combine. Add stock, bay leaf, and thyme, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Keep warm.
- Meanwhile, add potatoes to a medium saucepan of salted water set over medium heat. Simmer potatoes until fork-tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes. While they’re draining, melt 4 tablespoons butter in potato pan. Return potatoes to pan and toss to coat. Add milk and mash potatoes. Stir in ¾ cup of cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add chard to the lentil mixture, increase heat to medium, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until greens wilt. Stir in corn and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaf and thyme. Keep warm.
- Melt remaining butter in a small skillet or saucepan. When it foams, add flour and whisk to form a paste (also known as a roux). Cook, whisking, until paste turns golden-brown. Ladle ¼ cup of lentil broth into the flour-butter mixture and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture back into the lentils and simmer for 5 more minutes—this will help thicken the filling.
- Transfer lentil mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Using a rubber spatula, drop big spoonfuls of mashed potatoes over the mixture, then carefully spread the potatoes to cover the entire surface. Place on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining cheese on pie, and bake 10 more minutes, until bubbly and brown on top. Cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
Rebecca Haley-Park
Rebecca Haley-Park is culture's former editor and resident stinky cheese cheerleader. A native New Englander, she holds a BFA in creative writing from University of Maine at Farmington.
Leigh Belanger
Leigh Belanger is culture's former food editor. She's been a food writer, editor, and project manager for over a decade— serving as program director for Chefs Collaborative and contributing to local newspapers and magazines. Her first book, The Boston Homegrown Cookbook, was published in 2012. She lives and cooks in Boston with her family.
