Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Thank you, Rachael Ray: Mushroom-Kale Shepherd’s Pie

There are a few recipes that are in the rotation, as Alex puts it. These are things we make repeatedly as tried-and-true favorites. There are many, many other things that are on the list. I find daily inspiration on blogs, in my cookbooks, and from seeing ingredients I want to use. There so many things I want to try. And there’s the third category, which (oddly enough) I can’t think of an appropriate name for. These are recipes that I am compelled to make as soon as I hear of them.

I recently came across one such recipes in the most unexpected place: on 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray. I was channel surfing and caught the beginning of an episode with her talking about making a vegetarian entree. She had my attention. Full disclosure: she had my attention because she was scraping the gills from some portabellas. I watched to see why she was doing that. In the end, she said she normally leaves them alone but some finicky eaters may want their ‘bellas gill-less.

She was making meatless shepherd’s pie with a base of portabella mushrooms and kale. Also in the soupy base is carrot, onion, garlic, and stock, plus rosemary, nutmeg, and Worcestershire. I used my Bourbon Barrel vegan worcestershire and some fresh rosemary left over from the scones I made.

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The original recipe tops this with mashed starchy potatoes along with parsnips, horseradish, and sharp cheese. I gladly omitted the cheese and reluctantly omitted the horseradish. The only vegan horseradish I could find was in mustard, which might not have been that bad. All the prepared horseradish was in a mayo-style base. Does anyone have any advice on horseradish for me? In defiance, I considered using wasabi powder but restrained myself.

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Horseradish or not, this was a tasty, tasty meal. We made a full 13x9 pan and ate it all. The soupiness you see in the mushroom-kale mixture was a great accompaniment to my tater topping. This dish has earned a spot in the rotation.

13 comments:

  1. Very interesting. That looks way too healthy to be Rachel Ray's! Can't you just get regular minced horseradish? I don't really buy it but that's what I usually see in stores. My Maine horseradish mustard is delish, tho!

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  2. That sounds fantastic! I made my first vegan shepherd's pie for Christmas last year and loved it. This one sounds super yummy with portobella mushrooms and kale. I have a few things I cook in rotation too, but an even bigger list of "things to try." It keeps our meals from getting boring.

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  3. That recipe is way too complex to be in my rotation, but it looks great. I've always had great success w/Rachael Ray's recipes.

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  4. That sheperd's pie sounds awesome. I love all the flavors, I bet the worcestershire adds a nice dimension. The plate serving looks so hearty and delicious.

    I think I have a similar categorization of recipes to try...and you're right sometimes one just stands out and you have to make it asap, even it means an unplanned trip to the store,while others go on a well-intentioned list.

    As for horseradish, not sure whether they sell nationwide or not, but
    Bubbiesis a good one; I love the one with beets in.

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  5. That looks amazing! I love it when things on the Food Network happen to be veg. BTW, I have the same categories — things on the list, things I make in rotation, and things I must make right away.

    On horseradish: I looked and looked and looked for mayo-free horseradish (and I swear I looked all over Whole Foods), and then one day, I noticed some in the cold section ... near the Vegenaise and stuff. It's just chopped, jarred horseradish. No vegan mayo in it. But I can't remember the brand name offhand. But the Memphis Whole Foods did carry it.

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  6. I saw bits and pieces of that Rachael Ray show. I was cooking, so I didn't give it my full attention, but Tony kept telling me to look and listen. I love it when there are recipes I can use from cooking shows. It sure looks delish!

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  7. As much as I totally can't stand Rachael Ray, that shepherds pie looks amazing!

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  8. This looks and sounds so yummy! I've been thinking about kale and have been on the hunt for recipes that use a good portion of it. Bookmarked!

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  9. Looks extremely healthy! You go girl!

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  10. that would have gotton my attention also:) most of the time i cant stand how much oil she uses, not to mention animal ingredients!looks great:)so comforting.

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  11. Thanks for the advice on the horseradish! I'll have to look for it. This was a tasty recipe and not extremely difficult.

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  12. I am not a fan of Rachel Ray either but she gave you some good inspiration.

    I buy horseradish either as a fresh root that you grate, or in little jars in the refrigerated case usually near the sauerkraut.

    The wasabi sounds like a fabulous idea. I love wasabi mashed potatoes anyway.

    Ali

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  13. Ohhh my gosh. That looks SO good - I love both kale and mushrooms! Thanks for sharing!

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