Vegetarian Cottage Pie

I am constantly trying to find ways to adapt meals to include more vegetables. In this case, I have transformed a much loved classic meat meal into a delicious vegetarian alternative.

This month celebrates National Vegetarian Week. From 19th May until 25th May 2014 there will be many events taking place all over the country. They are also setting a challenge for people to go vegetarian for the week!

This meal will get the more reluctant vegetable eaters wanting more and is a great way to start trying more vegetarian meals. It contains vegetables that we all know and combined with a tasty cheese sauce this really will be a winner in any household!

This is how I made it...

Vegetarian Cottage Pie

Ingredients

225g carrots, halved and sliced
225g swede, chopped
125g broccoli
125g cauliflower
1 medium red onion
150g mushrooms, sliced
100g leeks, sliced
1kg potatoes, peeled, washed and chopped
300mls milk
20g butter
20g plain flour1tsp wholegrain mustard
100g mature cheddar cheese
Black pepper
Fresh chives and parsley

Method

1 - Steam the carrots and swede for 10 minutes

 2 - Add the cauliflower and broccoli and continue to steam for a further 20 minutes

3 - Place the chopped potatoes into a pan of boiling water and simmer for about 20 minutes or until soft

4 - Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan

5 - Gently fry the onion, mushrooms and leeks until softened

6 - Chop up a few sprigs of fresh parsley and a handful of chives and add to the vegetables in a frying pan and cook for a further 2 minutes

6 - To make the cheese sauce melt the butter in a pan over a low heat

7 - Stir in the flour and heat for 1 minute

8 - Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously

9 - Bring to the boil, simmer and stir in three quarters of the grated cheese, wholegrain mustard and stir

10 - Once the vegetables have been steamed and are tender remove from the steamer and place in a deep heat proof dish

11 - Add the fried vegetable to the dish

12 - Pour over the cheese sauce

13 - Mash the potatoes, stir in butter and milk to taste and spoon onto the vegetables and cheese sauce

14 - Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and place under a hot grill

15 - Once the cheese has melted and browned a little remove from under the grill and serve

This meal is a delicious alternative to a meat cottage pie!

Enjoy x

Disclosure: This recipe is my entry to the Betta Living Vegetarian Competition follow the link for more information and to see some other delicious vegetarian recipes!

I am sharing this recipe with Honest Mums Tasty Tuesdays