As I mentioned in a previous post, my roommate Emily gave up meat for Lent and we’ve been taking turns cooking for each other once or twice a week.
I get a lot of requests to show examples of actual meals I eat (as opposed to just the desserts); therefore I thought I’d post about our dinner last night.
For more examples of how I eat, see: My Non-Dessert Recipes.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie?
I initially wanted to make a real shepherd’s pie, topping my Bread-Free Vegan Stuffing recipe with mashed sweet potato and then baking. But life got busy, and there was no time for the extra baking step. So I settled on a “deconstructed” shepherd’s pie. It was so absolutely delicious that now I don’t think I’ll ever bother trying the longer version!
(Unpictured, I also had Ezekiel toast and a larger serving of the lentil filling.)
Sleepy Sweet Potatoes
(deconstructed Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie)
- 1 medium onion, sliced (175g)
- 1-2 cups spinach (I used 60g)
- 2-4 carrots, cut into coins (I used 140g, but feel free to use more)
- 1/2 can diced tomatoes
- Optional: 1 zucchini, cut in coins (I used 280g, but I steamed 1/2 separately and mixed them in later.)
- 1 stalk celery, cut into coins (I used 65g)
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup cooked lentils, drained and mashed (I used 110g Westbrae)
- 1 1/2 tsp dry basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil (You can omit this, but you’ll lose the yummy, buttery taste!)
Heat oil, then add carrots, zucchini, onion, and celery. Cook a few minutes (like 10), then add spinach, lentils, spices, and tomato. Cook 2 more minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil, then cover and lower to simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the carrots are soft and stuffing is flavorful. Without the optional ingredients, this makes around 3 cups, or around 2 servings. Serve with rice, polenta, or roasted potatoes or yams.
KATIE! I have stopped eating all sugar and I miss your blog so much! Thank you for this recipe. I have throughly reviewed all your sugar free options. Thank you for all you do. I tell everyone to come here and check it out.
This looks amazing! I wish I could sleep through more things….
I am a heavy sleeper, no alarm clock can wake up expect like 20 alarms in a matter of minutes of going off.
This looks DELICIOUS and I can’t wait to try the recipe! These are the kinds of recipes I need until Lent is over then you can bring on the chocolate all over again 🙂
Anything with sweet potatoes is just divine. I love them!
That sucks about the lack of sleep, I hate when that happens. I traveled a bunch for a few weeks & was with my boyfriend part of the time…I ended up getting on his schedule for a little bit (staying up really late & waking up late…) and it took a good week to get back on a normal schedule! That included a lot of restless nights!
This looks absolutely delicious! Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods of all time. Have you ever had sweet potato fries? I would take them over regular french fries any day! I will definitely give this recipe a try. It looks nice and warm too, plus colorful, so I’m sure it was perfect for a rainy and sleepy day. I’m usually a pretty deep sleeper once I fall asleep. Falling asleep sometimes takes me awhile though because I can never seem to shut my brain off! That’s crazy about your sister sleeping through earthquakes though…I don’t think I’m that good! I hope the weather has cleared up and that you’re feeling refreshed and recharged after a (hopefully) good night’s rest?? Thanks for the post!
~Megan 🙂
Yes, I love sweet potato fries… when I’m not feeling too lazy to make them!
Oh K! This looks AMAZING! I love when you post your non-dessert recipes 🙂 I still need to try the bread free dressing….. I am unfortunately one of the folks who can’t afford the fat or calories of most of your dessert recipes (although I’d eat coconut butter EVERY DAY if I could! OMG.) I am so happy you post these ‘real food’ ideas too! Thanks 🙂
This look DELICIOUS, i love sweet potatos, gonna try it soon…. 😛
I love this recipe. Yum!
I used to be able to sleep through anything. Then, I had kids. I wake up all the time now.
That looks amazing! I’m pinning that! 🙂 I’m pretty sure I could sleep through an earthquake. Nothing bothers me once I’m out.
These look delicious and delightfully easy to put together! I am a relatively light sleeper, music, alarms, knocks on the door they all wake me up. “Deconstructed” versions of things are always delicious, though please do share if you ever decide to make a full shepherd’s pie; it sounds really good 🙂
This looks amazing, Katie! I will definitely be trying this 🙂
I am the world’s lightest sleeper! I can’t sleep through a single thing. In fact, one time I spent the night at a friend’s house and couldn’t sleep because of a ticking clock. She swore the only one in the house was in the living room. I then proceeded to dig out everything from underneath her bed (which turned out to be a lot) and lo and behold, a ticking clock! I can hear anything….but only if I’m trying to sleep. 😉
It saddens me that people are so obsessed about what other people eat. You really shouldn’t have to prove yourself to anyone Katie! If you’re healthy and happy then that’s all that matters. People who ask all the time what you eat, how much you weigh, and accuse you of having an eating disorder probably have an eating disorder themselves. It really isn’t a good idea to give them answers to these invasive questions.
Back to a more pleasant subject….this looks amazing I really need to buy a few sweet potatoes and give this a try. I usually only eat it roasted but I’m all for trying new things. Thanks for the recipe.
P.S I gave up swearing for lent and it is extremely difficult.
Oh I definitely agree… I’m posting more “meal” ideas not for the people trying to check up on me, but for the people who want to include more vegan meals in their diets but need inspiration ;).
Hey Katie,
I LOVE all of your recipes!!
Do you have specific recipes that are low calorie? Which ones are they?
Also do you have any good post-workout recipes 🙂
I seriously get excited everytime I wake up because I know there will be a new recipe that you posted! You’re awesome!
LOVE from one health nut to the other
<3
Hi Shay,
Many of my recipes are (or can be) low-calorie, so I don’t have a specific tag for them. Same thing with post-workout… there are a ton that could fall into that category, depending on what you like to eat after working out 🙂
I’m usually a super light sleeper, but something about rain and storms is comforting. I remember my 2nd grade teacher told us that thunder was giants walking (their steps were the thunder) around their garden (earth) and watering it (rain). Somehow that made it comforting, but now that I think about it… it’s kind of scary for 7 year old. haha