Taking the meat out of Mondays

Parsnip-topped spinach shepherd’s pie. Picture by Meatless Monday

This take on a meatless shepherd’s pie will brighten any table. Lightened up with parsnips rather than potatoes and seitan or beans rather than meat, this light dish will leave plenty of room in your belly for sweet treats too.

Parsnip-topped spinach shepherd’s pieINGREDIENTS For the parsnips:

8 cloves garlic whole, peeled

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

5 cups chopped parsnips

1 cup non-dairy milk or milk

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon white pepper

For the filling:

350g spinach washed

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 large onions chopped

2 large carrots chopped

3 tablespoons unbleached flour or white rice flour for gluten-free

3 tablespoons fresh sage chopped

1 cup non-dairy milk or milk

1 cup vegetable stock

2 teaspoons tamari

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

230g seitan (meat substitute), or a can of drained white beans, optional

METHOD

For the parsnips:

• Pre-heat the oven to 205C. Place the garlic cloves and olive oil in a small metal bowl and cover with foil, and roast for 20 minutes. The garlic should be very soft and browned. Take out to cool.

• In a large pot, place the parsnips and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium low and simmer until the parsnips are very soft.

• Test by piercing with a paring knife. Drain well.

• Transfer the garlic and oil to a blender or food processor, and add the parsnips and seasoning. Puree completely before adding the milk. In a blender, add the milk and puree.

• When smooth, transfer to a large piping bag with a large star tip, or just reserve to spread on the pie.

• Prepare a 9×13 inch pan or other medium casserole.

For filling:

• Boil a large pot of water and drop the spinach in, cook for about 2 minutes, then drain. Rinse with cold water, squeeze out, then spread on a thick kitchen towel, roll up, and squeeze until very dry.

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil and saute the onions and carrots until golden and tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the onions in the pan and stir to coat the vegetables with flour and eliminate any lumps. Gradually stir in the milk and stock, and cook over medium heat until thick. Add salt, tamari and pepper and stir. Take off the heat and stir the spinach (and seitan or beans, if using) into the sauce, then spread in the 9×13 inch casserole.

• Pipe the parsnips on top of the spinach filling as shown, or place dollops on top and spread them with a spatula. Spritz with a little olive oil, then bake at 400 for 35 minutes. Optionally, use a broiler and watch carefully for a few minutes to get the parsnip topping nicely browned.

• Serves 6

— This recipe is courtesy of Robin Asbell for Meatless Monday. www.meatlessmonday.com