As I look out of my window I see a flash of fiery red as the leaves in the tree opposite turn their Autumn hue.
With Autumn comes my need for comfort food; warming, heavy food that makes me feel happy and snug.
Generally, however, that equals stodgy, carbohydrate-filled food that doesn’t particularly agree with my body.
I’ve therefore taken a classic dish and de-stodged it.
Is that a word?
I’m all for making up new ones. Who says a dictionary full of words is enough in the world?
So my shepherd’s pie is both gluten-free and dairy-free and it’s topped with mashed cauliflower. If you can ‘do’ dairy then mixing some cheese in the cauliflower mash would be simply fantastic.
It’s pretty fantastic without it, but being a cheese lover (and it not loving me) makes me long for a good cauliflower cheese every now and again (and this one was half topped for those that eat cheese in the family).
I don’t count dairy-free cheese as cheese…it’s got way to many odd ingredients in it (I’ll cover some of them in my new series that started last week with ‘what on earth is… hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose’). But, if you like that kind of thing then feel free to mix some into your cauliflower…
I’ve got to dash!
Tomorrow I’m spending the day on a cruise ship.
Unfortunately not one that is sailing, but as part of a blogging event that I’m attending. I’m looking forward to finding out if they could actually cater for us should we ever be persuaded to cruise.
I’ll keep you posted…just watch my Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Cauliflower Crusted Shepherd's Pie (Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Paleo)
Ingredients
- FOR THE SAUCE:
- 1 onion - finely chopped
- 2 large carrots - washed and peeled (unless organic then I don't peel) and chopped thinly
- 1 stick celery - finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic - finely chopped
- 400 g lamb mince - I use organic where possible
- 1 medium sized courgette - grated
- 500 ml tomato passata
- Splash Worcester sauce - check gluten-free
- Splash coconut aminos or gluten-free soya sauce
- 2 fresh or dried bay leaves
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs
- FOR THE CAULIFLOWER TOP
- 2 medium sized cauliflowers - leaves removed; florets finely chopped
- 2 spring onions - finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic - finely chopped
- 2 tsp wholegrain mustard - check gluten-free
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- To make the sauce place the onion, carrot and celery in a large saucepan with around half a cup of water.
- Put the lid on the pan and cook over a low heat (topping the water up if necessary) until the vegetables are soft
- Add the lamb mince and garlic and fry over a medium heat until well browned
- Finally add the remaining sauce ingredients, turn the heat down low and allow to simmer with the lid on for around 30 minutes
- To make the topping steam the cauliflower florets for around 10 - 15 minutes or until really soft
- Meanwhile fry the spring onions and garlic in a little oil over a low heat for a couple of minutes until softened, but not coloured
- Once cooked add the cauliflower florets to the spring onion and garlic mixture and fry for a further couple of minutes over a low heat
- Finally, place the cauliflower, onion and garlic mix in a blender with the mustard salt and pepper and blend until smooth and creamy. You may need to add a tiny bit of water...but don't add too much
- Assemble the pie by dolloping the cauliflower on top of the sauce mix.
- If you want to top with cheese you can do...I suggest placing the pie under a grill in this case to melt and brown the cheese
If you’re looking for a potato topped recipe then why not check out this rosti topped cottage pie that I created a few years ago.
In the meantime pin this recipe so you don’t lose it.
And if you love baking why not try my wholegrain gluten-free flour blends? They can be used to make anything from cakes to bread to pastry and pasta and have all the goodness of wholegrain’s…something you won’t find in other flour blends. You can buy them in my shop here.
Charlie Mace says
We all love cauliflower here and I love how versatile it is and how many awesome things you can do with it – long gone are the days of just boiled florets, eh? Definitely going to give this a try – a great way to up the veg with my boys too! Charlie x
Vicki Montague says
I know…it’s amazing isn’t it?! Boiled is horrid I think…but there are so many yummy to do with it now!
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Loving the sound of this Vicki. Cauliflower cheese on top of yummy meaty base…. what’s not to love? Not sure I would get it past Miss GF though…… x
Vicki Montague says
I didn’t think I would but Roo surprised me!
Emma @ FreeFromFarmhouse says
Ooh this looks good. I could seriously eat a whole batch of this right now! #freefromfridays
Vicki Montague says
Thanks Emma!
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Genius idea – totally love the idea of topping shepherd’s pie with cauliflower cheese. It’s like two of my favourite meals in one. Super sad for you, you can’t have the cheese part, though…what a shame there is no nice healthy cheese alternative – maybe you need to develop one…to go with your flour range!! 😀 Eb x
Vicki Montague says
Aghhh! I do but the flour is enough! 😉
Le Coin de Mel says
I absolutely love cauliflower and your recipe sounds yummy! I’m not too keen on dairy-free cheese either. It’s such a shame you can’t have cheese 🙁 Thanks for joining in with #FreeFromFridays.
Vicki Montague says
Thanks for having me and hosting it! You’re super lovely x