Lentil Goodness "Shepherds Pie"

I was supposed to be making something completely different for dinner tonight but after being out most of the day I realised I had taken the chicken out of the freezer last night and left it on the side all night and all day instead of putting it in the fridge, no way was i changing it. Duh brain.

So this was a bit of an experiment based on numerous recipes I've seen and then dictated by what I had in the cupboards and wanting to keep it as healthy and nutritious as I could.

My measurements are usually approximate. It's just how I roll as I try to go by taste. Oh and it's why I would never be much good on The Great British Bake Off!

This made double and then some extra cooked lentils so heres what I did with them......

The extra half of shepherds pie mix went into a freezer bag and is marked "lentil shepherds pie mix (add potato topping)" . i'll use this for a quick easy meal on a crazy day. 

The big batch of leftover cooked lentils is in the freezer in a bag marked "cooked lentils to make 2 x shepherds pies". So next time I want to make it I will then again end up with 1x spare shepherds pie mix for the freezer if that makes sense. I'm always looking for ways to get more streamlined when cooking and this gives me quick n easy freezer stock! 

Oh and the reason I didn't just make a whole 2nd shepherds pie tonight is because I never like how the potato topping comes out of the freezer so I would rather just add that fresh. 

Ingredients (and approx measurements)
4.5 cups dry brown/green lentils (if you don't want any left for the freezer then approx half the amount. (Cook before adding or you could just use tinned though my preference is dry).
2 x tinned tomatoes (supermarket own brand is fine here i wouldn't be too concerned with higher quality ones unless i was making a tomato sauce for example where the tomato taste will really stand out)
Couple handfuls of spinach ( I use frozen as I don't like the fresh spinach you get here in Cyprus but fresh or frozen is fine)
Sweet potatoes ( I had 7 small ones here)

Potatoes ( I used two small ones - not necessary but I have a big bag to use up and i like the taste and texture together) 

Tablespoon of whatever oil you like for cooking ( I used olive oil here) 

Around 10/15 mushrooms - chopped

4 ribs celery - chopped
3 carrots - grated
Large onion - chopped
Tamari (Instead of Tamari you could use soy sauce or a bit of marmite and water or a beef stock cube and water)

Dried Mixed green herbs (Parsley dried or fresh would likely be yum too)
Cheese (optional) 

Directions

1. Boil lentils in water until cooked ( I like them slightly al dente and not mushy)

2. At the same time boil sweet potatoes till cooked, mash & leave aside 

3. Heat oil in a pan and add the celery, grated carrot, onion and mushroom and sauté. 

4. Add herbs

5. when your lentils are cooked, drain them and add to the pan

6. Mix all together

7. Add the Tamari (taste to see how you like it)

8. Add 2 tins tomato 

9. Add spinach 

10. Mix and at his point check taste, add more Tamari, seasoning etxc to your taste

11. Fill casseroe dish. Pop mashed potatoes on top

12. Grate some cheese on top if u like

13. Pop in the oven on 200 for 20 ish minutes ish (or when cheese is nice and golden)

14. Fill your face - its veg packed and good for you 

Please let me know if you make this and what you think. Did you change anything? Share your pics with me on Instagram (I'm there a lot!) 

Thanks for reading

Love Chele

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Woah I'm an Alien.....I'm an London Twin Mummy in Cyprus

OK so that's not strictly true, we are living on a military base so there are tons of English people but I like to sing that in my head lol.

So we are here! We have actually been here for 11 days now its just taken me a while to get around to writing this.

I have never been in a hot country for this long and remained so pasty white but we have just been so busy and not much time to sunbathe when I'm playing with my Diddies and we are getting things organised for our new home.

It was our first time flying with Gracie and Alfie and I am pleased to say it was a very enjoyable experience. We were very lucky as we were travelling on a military flight so we had a row of 4 seats to ourselves meaning we were able to sit Andy and I at each end of the row whilst Gracie and Alfie's car seats were in the two seats between us. Basically we just had a baby each for the duration of the flight swapping each time one wanted mummy milkies or daddy cuddles.  They slept for maybe an hour or so in the car seats and the rest of the time we just played and cuddled and nursed. The flight crew adored them and whilst Alfie was sleeping they took Gracie into the cockpit. It was a bit crazy at the airport departing and arriving (especially arriving in Cyprus) with our 5 huge suitcases, 4 handluggage, 2 carseats, the double pushchair (Out n About Nipper 360 v3) and 2 almost 1 year olds
though. At the airports we had Gracie and Alfie in the carriers (me with the Connecta and Andy with the Ergo) and our baggage etc on a trolley each so the carriers (as always) made it much more doable!

Before we came here I wondered at what point it would feel like we lived here rather than feeling like we were on holiday yet it hasn't felt like a holiday at any point. We have been so busy darting here and there to get organised in our home, car hire (until ours arrives), shopping, completing a zillion forms, sourcing items for the garden, (more of that to come- currently the garden is a barren landscape and we cannot use it so we are presently sourcing materials and Andy will be making it a fun place to play over the next few weeks - I will blog before and after). So between all of that and obviously looking after my Diddies there's not been much time to sit in the sun. I do have a bit of a pram tan though on my arms and back from when I take Gracie and Alfie out on our walks.

Andy started at his new job on Tuesday so a week after we arrived. He is currently working 6:45am - 2pm so its fantastic having him home in the afternoon. He will be moving to day/night shifts at the end of July so will be working 12 hour shifts of 4 days/night on and 4 off. Still its better than when we were in the UK and we will have more time together for family fun.

Gracie and Alfie seem to be adapting well to the heat. They are very much wanting me all of the time and hate me to leave the room. This is understandable though, I'm their only constant at the moment. They have had so much upheaval for weeks before we left the UK and now they are in a place where nothing is familiar except mummy and daddy. Lots of cuddles and I'm sure they will settle very soon. Yesterday we took them to the medical centre here as their temperatures were high and they were upset and lethargic and  they were very thoroughly checked over and we were advised it is viral and to give them Calpol etc and just to ride it out. They have spells of seeming a bit better today and then their temperatures shoot back up again. I hope they will feel better asap bless them.

They love the paddling pool that we put on the little bit of patio in the garden that we can currently use. They also love the local pool and playing in the shallow of the sea.
Our, currently twice daily, walks are very hot and I know they will only get hotter (any tips on babywearing in this heat most welcome) but I'm sure we will acclimatise a bit before the temperatures ramp up even more!

I'm feeling a bit like a fish out of water. I'm not homesick for home as such but for people and familiarity. I love our house and I'm looking forward to making it more homely when our freight arrives in approximately 5-7 weeks. I love shopping for the local produce in the markets, all the fresh fruit and veg (the oranges are amazing!) and I love cooking in the new kitchen. I miss my mum, nan, brothers and friends. Our home internet was installed two days ago so since I have been able to connect with everyone more again I do feel slightly more in the loop lol. We have been Facetiming/Skyping a bit so that's been great. My mummy will be here in 3 days too so I am crazy excited about that.

I'm sure we will love life here it just takes a bit of getting used to when literally not one thing is life as we know it. I think as well Gracie and Alfie's impending birthday is making me a bit emotional too!
As my mum said though, wherever our diddy family is, that is home. As long as Gracie and Alfie know we are here and we love them and we love eachother then that is all the constant we need.

Thank you for reading

Love Chele
x

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