Supermarket Cottage Pie

Again, not exactly a recipe but there are a handful of ready-made products now that you may not know about - another one for those evenings when there's no time. These tinned foods are relatively healthy, make a useful cupboard stand-by and can easily be supplemented with lots of healthy fresh veg (ready-prepped or frozen). Remember - most convenience foods may need a little customising, so be prepared to add a few simple additions - we offer suggestions below.
You will find products like the casserole or cassoulet listed in Holland & Barrett, Ocado and independent shops - high street or online.
Ingredients:
- 1 tin per person of a vegetable casserole/cassoulet type dish, eg Granovita or Free & Easy, as pictured
- 1 tin potatoes or other instant potato that doesn't contain added butter, milk etc (all the ready-made mash and similar products aren't suitable for vegans)
- Vegan butter (eg Pure, Biona, vitalite, Suma margarine) or olive oil + salt and black pepper to make the mash
- Any extra flavourings you might need, eg yeast extract, soya sauce, miso, herbs, spices, black pepper etc
- Ready-prepped or frozen mixed vegetables to serve
Method:
- Heat the tinned potatoes until hot. Mash and add a dollop of vegan butter or oil and seasoning. Keep warm - or at least, cover it up until you're ready to make the cottage pie.
- Place the contents of the tinned casserole in a small microwaveable dish. Place the mash on the top to make a cottage pie - add grated vegan cheese or a sprinkling of nutritional yeast flakes if you want a cheesy-type flavoured mash. Cook at high for at least 3 minutes. Test it and cook for another minute or two if it's not hot.
- Alternatively, cook the cottage pie in a hot, pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes - about 200ºC/400ºF/Gas Mark 6.
- Meanwhile, cook your vegetables.
- Serve the cottage pie hot with the vegetables on the side.
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We’re doing it because veganism saves animals, protects our planet and is better for the environment and your health.
We don’t receive any government funding. We can only keep going with YOUR help. Please consider donating to Viva! to help us continue to offer these life-saving services.