Ratatouille and Sweet Potato Shepherdless Pie

Lots of people on vegan groups I below to have been talking about shepherdless pie and other winter warmers and with the cold weather having arrived with a vengeance I wanted to join them in making real rib-sticker food. While I love lentils and pulses, the day I made this I really wasn't in the mood for them. This recipe combines the joys of ratatouille and a sweet potato topping.

Ingredients:
1 large onion
2 inches of fresh ginger
1 large courgette
1 large aubergine
4 large mushrooms
4 large tomatoes
half a tube of tomato paste
500g of tomato pasata
2 large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp parmesan
4 tbsp olive oil
boiling water
salt and pepper

Method:

Scrub the sweet potatoes and place them in a hot oven to bake for roughly an hour and a half until soft all the way through.

While the potatoes are baking, chop all the vegetables into cubes and mince the fresh ginger. Place the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat and saute the onions and ginger until the onions are soft and translucent. Add in the courgettes, fresh tomatoes, aubergine and mushrooms and saute for a further couple of minutes. Pour in the pasata and tomato puree and top up with water until everything is covered. Add in around a teaspoon of salt and pepper and leave to simmer until all of the vegetables are cooked through and then take the lid off, allowing the liquid to reduce to a thick, saucy consistency. You will need to keep a good eye on this and stir it regularly when its reducing to prevent a burnt bottom.

Once the sweet potatoes are baked, allow them to cool slightly so they can be held and then remove the skins. Mash the sweet potato with the butter and salt and pepper to taste.

Place the vegetable mixture in an oven proof dish and top with the mashed sweet potato. Sprinkle with parmesan and more salt and pepper and bake in a medium oven for around 15 minutes until the cheese has melted and the top is golden.

I served mine with green peas, an all-time favourite of mine, but it would also make a fantastic side dish. Perfect for lazy days and days when comfort food is essential, this dish is one to make you smile. Please tag me using #diaryofadefectivehousewife when you make this. Enjoy!