Go Back

Sweet Potato Lentil Cottage Pie

True comfort food
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 50 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine british
Servings 3 people

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker, optional

Ingredients
  

Lentils

  • 3/4 cup beluga lentils
  • 1 ½ water
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Mash

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • 2/3 tsp mineral salt
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 1/2 tsp mineral salt
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • 1 small beetroot, peeled and chopped into matchsticks size pieces
  • ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • pinch hing
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp celery seeds
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves - or 1/3 tsp dried
  • 1 date, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped finely - or 1/3 tsp dried
  • 1 tbsp spelt or wholewheat flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups fresh parsley, chopped

Optional extras

  • ⅓ cup walnuts
  • 1 tbsp whole coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Lime juice

Instructions
 

Lentils

  • In a pressure cooker, combine the lentils, water and the olive oil and cook for 18 minutes.
    Tip: it is handy to place the sweet potatoes on a trivet above the lentils, so they cook at the same time.
    Alternatively, boil the lentils on the stove till soft. You will need a little extra water. Separately, in a small saucepan cook the sweet potatoes until mushy.

Mash

  • Remove the sweet potatoes from their skin and mash with the rest of the mash ingredients.

Sauce

  • Heat 1 tbsp of ghee, Add the whole spices and bay first, cook for a few moments, till the aroma comes up.
  • Stir in the hing, salt, rosemary and thyme.
  • Add in the celery and beetroot. Cook for a couple of minutes gently, stirring now and then. Stir in the flour
  • Stir in the cooked lentils.
  • Add the chopped date, 1 cup of water and the black pepper.
  • Cover and gently simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  • Stir in the fresh parsley.

Baking the pie

  • Use individual dishes for each person or a large baking dish for everyone.
  • Place the filling and top it up with the mash.
  • Optionally, combine the walnuts and coriander seeds with 1 tsp olive oil and place on top of the mash for a pleasant crunch.
  • Bake in a preheated 200 C / 400 F (180C / 350 F fan) oven for 15-20 minutes.
  • Optionally decorate with a little fresh parsley. Squeeze a few drops of lime on top.
  • Let the pie cool for 10-15 minutes until you serve. It is usually very hot!
Keyword comfort food, cottage pie, pie, shepherd's pie