dee's shepherd's pie

1 large onion, minced or 1 medium leek, chopped
2 T canola or veggie oil
1 T butter + butter for the ramekins or pans
1/2 c sliced carrots
1.5 c cauliflower, small pieces
1/2 c diced red/green peppers
1/2 c cooked lentils
1/2 c red wine 
1/2 c reserved potato water 
2 T soy sauce
2 t dill
1 t marjoram
1 t thyme
s&p (careful, soy sauce is salty already!)

gravy (must find new gravy, this one is mediocre)
1.5 c reserved potato water
5 c sliced mushrooms (about 12 oz) (reserve 6 nice slices for garnish)
1/3 c sherry (i've always used red wine)
2 T soy sauce
1 t marjoram
5 T cornstarch disolved in 2.5 T water 
s&p (again, beware the salty soy sauce)

[buttery but firm mashed potatoes, reserve about 2 c of the potato
water.)]

preheat oven to 350.

in a large saucepan or skillet, saute the onions in the oil for about
5 minutes.  add the carrots and cauliflower, cover, but stir around
frequently, about another 5 minutes.  add the peppers, lentils, wine
and spices and soy sauce, and mashers-water and butter.  cover and
simmer until veggies are mushy.  adjust seasonings to taste.

when veggie mixtures is soft, smash veggies in the pan with a potato
masher.  you don't want a paste, but you want smooshy veggies, with
some larger chunks.

layer the veggies first, then the mashed potatoes in 6 buttered
ramekins or a few small loaf pans. press a nice looking mushroom slice
into the top of each ramekin, or a few on each loaf pan.  this is
especially helpful when making both vegetarian SP and regular SP at
the same time! brush the tops of the potatoes with melted butter.
bake for about 15 minutes or until potatoes get a nice golden brown.

meanwhile, make the mushroom gravy:

in a small saucepan, add the reserved masher-water, the mushrooms,
wine, soy sauce and spices.  simmer until mushrooms are soft (about 7
minutes) add the cornstarch mixture, stirring in slowly.  simmer until
mixture thickens.  

when pies are done, serve with a spoonful or two of the gravy overtop.
(yes, it does thin out a bit, i really need a new mushroom gravy for
this dish, however, all told, it is great!)

--------------------------------------------------------

onion = $1
carrots = $.75
cauli = $1
peppers = $1
lentils = $.10
wine = $1
potatoes = $2
butter = $1.50
milk (or soy) = .50
spices = .25
soy = .10
mushrooms = $2
cornstarch = 0
----------------
	$11.35

servings = 6
pps = $1.89
prep time (plus cooking time) = 40 minutes