Vegan Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Topping!

This is a super simple meal idea and it's filling too! We put a little spin on the typical shepherd's pie (I was tempted to call it a Shepherdess Pie like in Veganomicon because I think that's brilliant) by adding a sweet potato mixture on top! I think it's a nice improvement.

This is one of those dishes where you can really add any veggies you like to it. Don't feel confined by the standard carrots, corn, and peas. Get daring! LOL. 

Yves products aren't really my favourite but it's really the only thing we get in these parts so, we have to make do. I dream of a better selection of soy products.

Moving on... the sweet potato topping really enhances this dish because it provides a sweet compliment to the savory bottom. It adds much more depth, I believe. But by all means, see for yourself! ;)

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato and Yam Topping

Ingredients

2 Jamaican Sweet Potatoes, cubed

1 Yam, cubed

1 package of soy crumbles, like Yves Veggie Ground Round

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp margarine

1 onion, diced

4 small/medium sized carrots, diced

¾ cup frozen corn

½ cup frozen peas

2 tsp salt

Generous cracking (or dash) of pepper

1 tbsp paprika

1 ½ tsp ground coriander

½ tsp oregano

½ tsp poultry seasoning 

Directions

Place the sweet potatoes and yam a large pot and fill with water. Bring to a boil and cook until they can easily be pierced with a fork. When they’re done, strain off the water and add margarine and 1 tsp of salt. Check the seasonings to make sure it’s the way you like it.

Preheat oven to 375˚ F. Place a Dutch oven or similarly oven safe cooking vessel on the stovetop at medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is heated, add the onion and carrots and cook until the onion is translucent and the carrots have softened. Next add the soy crumble, 1 tsp of salt, and the pepper. Brown the soy crumbles a bit before adding in the corn and peas. Add the paprika, coriander, oregano, and poultry seasoning. Give it all a good stir so that everything is well seasoned. Cook for 5 mins, stirring every once and a while.

Remove from the heat and add the sweet potato mixture to the top. Sprinkle a little paprika over the top and place in the oven for 20 mins or until the top browns a little.