Hearty Vegan Skillet Garden Pie
This comforting Hearty Vegan Skillet Garden Pie is the perfect dish for any plant-based diet. Packed with protein from kidney beans and enriched with colorful vegetables like carrots, green beans, and hearty mushrooms, this recipe is a satisfying option for a cozy dinner. The creamy mashed potato topping, made with Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes and enriched with soymilk, creates a delightful contrast to the rich veggie filling. Perfect for gatherings or a family meal, this dish is sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans alike. Enjoy this pie warm, drizzled with a bit of extra rosemary for a fresh touch!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes
2 lbs (scrubbed and diced)
Soymilk
1/2 cup (unsweetened)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Large onion
1 (diced)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Large carrots
2 (diced)
Celery ribs
2 (diced, leaves minced and reserved)
Mushrooms
8 oz (diced)
Fat-free vegetable broth
2 cups (low-sodium)
Cooked kidney beans
16 oz (canned or home-cooked)
Green beans
2 cups (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp
Fresh rosemary
2 tsp (minced or 1 tsp dried)
Dried sage
1/4 tsp
Baby spinach leaves
2 cups (packed)
Cornstarch
1 tbsp
Water or vegetable broth
2 tbsp
Extra rosemary
for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by scrubbing the potatoes and cutting them into uniform cubes. You may peel them if desired, but leaving the skin on adds extra nutrients and flavor.
2
Place the diced potatoes in a large pot, covering them with water. Bring to a boil and then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Once done, reserve a cup of the cooking water, then drain the potatoes.
3
Transfer the drained potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add the soymilk and mash until creamy, adding reserved potato-cooking water as needed to achieve your desired consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, then keep warm while preparing the filling.
4
In a large non-stick or cast iron skillet, spray a thin layer of canola oil and heat over medium-high. Add the diced onion and sauté until they turn translucent and aromatic, about 3-5 minutes.
5
Introduce the minced garlic, diced carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
6
Pour in the vegetable broth, and then add the cooked kidney beans, green beans, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Stir well to combine and allow the mixture to simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes until all vegetables are tender. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a splash of the reserved potato-cooking water.
7
Once the veggies are tender, stir in the baby spinach leaves, cooking just until wilted. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water or vegetable broth until smooth, then pour into the skillet. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
8
Carefully spoon the creamy mashed potatoes over the vegetable filling, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle additional chopped rosemary on top for garnish. If the potatoes have cooled, place the skillet under the broiler for a couple of minutes to heat and slightly crisp the top.
9
Serve warm and enjoy your Hearty Vegan Skillet Garden Pie immediately!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegan Skillet Garden Pie?
It is a comforting plant-based dish featuring a protein-rich kidney bean and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
What types of potatoes are best for the topping?
The recipe recommends using either Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes for the mashed topping.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegan diet?
Yes, this recipe is entirely vegan and plant-based, using soymilk and vegetable broth instead of dairy.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 19 total ingredients including vegetables, legumes, herbs, and seasonings.
What is the primary protein source in this pie?
The primary protein source is 16 ounces of cooked kidney beans.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Peeling is optional; leaving the skin on adds extra nutrients and flavor to the dish.
How long do the potatoes need to boil?
The diced potatoes should be boiled for approximately 15 minutes or until they are tender.
Should I save the potato-cooking water?
Yes, reserve at least one cup of the cooking water to help achieve the desired consistency for the mashed potatoes and the filling.
How do I make the mashed potato topping creamy?
The potatoes are mashed with unsweetened soymilk and reserved cooking water to create a creamy texture.
What kind of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
A thin layer of canola oil is used in a non-stick or cast iron skillet.
Which aromatics are used in the filling?
The filling starts with a base of diced onion and minced garlic cloves.
What vegetables are included in the garden pie filling?
The filling includes carrots, celery, mushrooms, green beans, and baby spinach.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
The diced onions should be sautéed for 3 to 5 minutes until they are translucent and aromatic.
What herbs provide the flavor for this dish?
The recipe is seasoned with dried thyme, fresh rosemary, and dried sage.
How long does the vegetable mixture need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Can I use canned kidney beans?
Yes, you can use either canned kidney beans or home-cooked ones.
How is the vegetable filling thickened?
The filling is thickened by stirring in a slurry of cornstarch mixed with water or vegetable broth.
When should the baby spinach be added?
The baby spinach should be stirred in once the other vegetables are tender, cooking only until the leaves have wilted.
What size should the green beans be?
The green beans should be cut into 1-inch pieces before being added to the skillet.
What type of broth is recommended?
The recipe calls for fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth.
Can I brown the top of the mashed potatoes?
Yes, you can place the skillet under the broiler for a couple of minutes to heat and slightly crisp the top.
How should the pie be garnished?
You can garnish the pie with additional chopped fresh rosemary or reserved minced celery leaves.
What should I do if the vegetable mixture becomes too dry while simmering?
If the mixture is too dry, add a splash of the reserved potato-cooking water.
What is the recommended serving temperature?
The Hearty Vegan Skillet Garden Pie should be served warm immediately after preparation.
Is a specific type of skillet required?
A large non-stick or cast iron skillet is recommended for even cooking and broiling.
Can I use dried rosemary if fresh is not available?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary for the 2 teaspoons of fresh minced rosemary.
How much soymilk is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of unsweetened soymilk for the mashed potato topping.
What are the suggested tags for this recipe?
Tags include vegan, savory pie, plant-based, comfort food, healthy, one-pan meal, and kidney beans.
How much cornstarch is needed for the thickener?
One tablespoon of cornstarch is used to create the thickening slurry.
What is the total weight of potatoes used?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of Yukon gold or red potatoes.