Excellent Recipe. I didn't have any yeast extract spread, so I substituted nutritional yeast flakes (about 1/4 cup) and it had the same effect. Also, I'm not vegan, so I mashed the potatoes with milk and a little butter to add flavor, and topped with about 1/2 cup shredded cheddar/jack cheese to make a bubbly mess. Also, I added a bunch of frozen green beans to the mix to get more veggies in there. My family (including two kids - 4 and 2) LOVED this, and my husband asked me when I was going to make it again. I served it with oven roasted broccoli (broccoli, olive oil and a little salt put in the oven at 450 for about 15 minutes.) Yum, Yum.
We have updated this recipe to clarify the yeast extract spread ingredient.
Very good and simple. I took the advice of others and cooked lentils/barley for 15 then added carrots and onions to the same pot. Came out great. Also added a bay leaf and oregeno to the lentil mixture and cheese between the mixture and mashed pots. My husband had 3 helpings! Note: if you have a family that likes large servings then double the recipe amounts.
This was really good! I added garlic, and whirled the carrots, walnuts, onions, and garlic in the food processor (rather than chopping/shredding). Added a little extra water and flour for more gravy. We are definitely adding it to our regular rotation.
This recipe turned out surprisingly flavourful. I did make a few alterations though. First I doubled it because it is soooo good and you'll want the leftovers. Then I added 2 tsp. of garlic to the veggie broth/lentil/barley mixture. In addition on successive attempts I added tofu on the bottom then spinach and mushrooms on top and then the lentil mixture with some frozen mixed veggies stirred in. I omitted the nuts and doubled the mashed potatoes to make a yummy "crust". But each to their own! Thanks Ron for a great recipe that I will always treasure.
Many of the suggestions for increasing the seasoning are great. As for texture, standard Shepherd's Pie isn't exactly a festival of textures! It's usually a way of using leftovers! :-) Marmite/Vegemite are sold in lots of supermarkets, or is available online at Amazon. It's a great secret ingredient for vegetarians, when used in small amounts, adding a depth of flavor to stews and soups. It can also be used as a substitute for anchovy paste in recipes calling for that. This Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie filling could also be made using bulgur wheat instead of barley. The combination of bulgur (or barley) with lentils makes a great pilaf and a satisfying "meaty" filling or base for shepherd's pie, moussaka, stuffing peppers, veggie-burgers, etc.
I couldn't get over how good this was. I couldn't get the yeast spread either but I mixed a little warm water with dry yeast and then measured out the right amount. I also substituted 2 yams and 1 red potato for the topping. I also added a little water after the lental/ barley mixture had cooked for a bit. Thanks for wonderful veg dish.
This recipe is terrible. I followed the instructions almost exactly the only thing i did differently was i used boullion instead of yeast extract. I also added a cup of water into the barley/lentil mixture before putting it in the oven because I was worried it would have been too dry. I was correct in doing so as all the water I added was absorbed. The coarseness of the lentils barley walnuts in conjunction with the smoothness of the potato topping just doesn't work. It's chewey and completely throws me off of the rest of the dish. The only reason I didn't give this 1 star is that at least the flavour was half decent and the dish was marginally edible if you are starving and there is nothing left in your house.
I am really surprised by the high reviews for this recipe. I tried it two nights ago followed instructions exactly and ended up with a very dense extremely plain tasting unpleasant brown/white casserole. The brown layer was as dense as the mashed potatoes and lacking in color and vegetables. I've been a vegetarian for a long time now and I wonder how many great veggie recipes some of the readers here have tried. This one had a savory taste and thick texture but there was just no variety of flavor no creaminess no color blech. I tried it again the next night thinking it might age well but no change. Adding copious amounts of cheese green onions and bacon bits on top helped it resemble a baked potato so we could finish it off.
