Tuesday, June 2, 2009

A Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie is Called a What?

This photo is from a video shoot I just did for About.com on "How to Make Shepherd's Pie." I will post the recipe here as soon as it goes "live" so you can make a pan for your flock.

I'm also brainstorming a video recipe for vegetarian Shepherd's pie, based on caramelized mushrooms.

Although I know a few people that would be perfect for the challenge of herding vegetables, "Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie" is a pretty silly name for obvious reasons.

So, I'd like a little help coming up with a name. Here are a few ideas I have so far: Forager's Pie, Gardener's Pie, Vegetable-Murder's Pie, and Worker's Collective Pie. Let me know if any of those appeal to you, or give me your own ideas. Thanks!

54 comments:

basilwhite said...

I thought "gardener's Pie" before I got to it in your text, so I vote for that.

Keith said...

Jeepers Creeper's Reaper Pie

Susanna said...

Gardener's Pie is good. Or maybe Healthy Pie, Rainbow Pie, Veggie Pie, Harvester's Pie, PETA-friendly Pie and Oct-Q Pie (<= Fall vegetables).

Anonymous said...

I like Gardener's Pie as well. It fits the best :)

Anonymous said...

Gardeners don't grow mushrooms, so it should be Forager's Pie!

DeLynn said...

Veggie-Murder's Pie.. LOL!!!!!

Unknown said...

Mmmm... Do you have any of that soyperd's pie left, Chef?

All kidding aside, I recently hosted a dinner party where the attendees had a mix of dietary preferences: vegetarian and omnivorous. We ended up baking two shepard's pies, one of which I had replaced the meaty goodness with Light Life brand ground "beef". Even as a dedicated carnivorous, I was pleasantly surprised by the resulting product. Most fauxmeats fall short of the real deal, but seasoned TVP comes very close.

Caramelized mushrooms sound much better, of course :)

Pyrofish said...

Slaughter-of-the-Carrots Casserole
(Tool hidden track)

Fungi & Tuber Melange

Farmer's Market Pie

Planter Pie

Grazer Casserole

and Bob, Who wouldn't a food called Bob?

Vilamoura Villa said...

While you´re at it, try to come up with a decent name for vegetarian meat loaf...
Ah ha!

gpm_kp said...

Although I am not sure it covers essence of the dish, my first vote goes to "Bob".

I like
* Shepherdess Pie

or in no particular order:
* Farmer's Market Pie
* Farmer's Mushroom Pie
* All Mushroom No Meat Pie
* Shepherd's Journeyman Pie
* Trainee Shepherd's Pie

KPeff said...

"Sheep Food"

Anonymous said...

Gardener's Pie sounds good to me.

Jackie

Jake said...

You should go with "Gardener's Pie".

Greg said...

Vegetarians eat life forms that can't run and hide.

Veggie Murderer's Pie has got to be the name.

MsevrythangX said...

Chef John, first off, i LOVE your videos...

Secondly, I think Harvest's Pie is a good name for it. It has the same amount of syllables as Shepherd's Pie. But also, the world "harvest", alone, begins to paint a picture of a hearty meal made with fresh fresh veggies

Adriana A. said...

First of all: YES!!! AT LAST A VEGETARIAN RECIPE!!!!!! I LOVE YOU CHEF JOHN :)
now, i think Gardener's Pie, or Plower's pie sound good.

Elaine said...

When I think of vegatables I think of spring. What about Spring Cottage Pie?

Asian-Malaysian said...

This isnt chicken roulade. Otherwise, I think "Garden Cottage Pie" would be a good name. Not catchy or clever but you could see imagine seeing it on some menu.

Ed said...

How about Reaper's Pie? A vegatarian shepherd's pie sounds a little "GRIM."

Bob said...

I think it should be called "Those Potatoes Didn't Just Give You Their Skins Pie" or how about "Peta Pie".

Basia said...

That's Worker's Collective Pie Of The Glorious Revolution to you! ;-)

ghanima said...

I second Gardener's Pie.

joe dirt said...

the "guilt-free tree hugger's pie" !!!

Anonymous said...

How about the pasture pie?

Chris K. said...

Vegherd's Pie?

soreal said...

although i like "the "guilt-free tree hugger's pie"

i would pref farmer's pie, very much along the line of Shepard's pie... and more musical than the rest of the suggested options:p

Anonymous said...

How did only one person appreciate the Worker's Collective Pie suggestion?

You're a brilliant man.

Chef John said...

Yes, thanks! And, speaking of brilliant, thanks for all the suggestions... I smell a readers poll coming up...

Jai Kohli said...

Farmer's pie & Gardner's pie sounds great

Anonymous said...

In no particular order:
Worker Collective of the Glorious Revolution, guilt-free tree hugger's pie, Veggie Murderer's Pie and Sheep Food.

Each of them not only fit the food iteself but fit the site as well...too funny!

Thank you for the great site Chef John.

Anonymous said...

How bout "No Animals Were Harmed In The Making Of This Pie-Pie" or "Cruelty-Free Pie" or "This Ain't Your Mama's Shepard's Pie"

Too much fun!

Krisannisup said...

Why not fungi pie? ;)

Hannah said...

I vote Gardener's Pie. I've made this dish before with veggie ground round. John-Have you ever cooked with Yves meatless products?:
http://www.yvesveggie.com/

Anonymous said...

To take a few words from Alton Brown, call the pie what it is: GOOD EATS

LlamasO said...

My vote is cowless pie. When vegie burgers first came out many people didn't like them but they were good if you put some ham on them!

le w said...

Shepherd's Floor Pie

(Homer Simpson: "mmmmm floor pie" :)

humble cousin said...

I say, Mushroom Planters' Pie. When people staked out a territory as their own and worked the land, I think they were refered to as planters. This makes sense for an enduring true name for your pie.

Rachel said...

True vegetarians shun any food that has (or had) a face - so how about Faceless Pie. Or if it is really mushroomy, Fungus Pie.

Anonymous said...

My my my my!! Don't break my ribs u people. I am speechless.

Unknown said...

I don't care what you call it - I just can't wait to watch you make it!!!

Unknown said...

Shepherd sounds a bit like "Chef's Herb." Could go with,

Chef's Herb Pie

tucker's mama said...

okey dokie chef john you all have had 1 yr & 4 mos. to post the video and the ingredience for this 'whatchamacallit pie'...and nada yet! when can we see? would love to make it... can't do that w/o video and/or ingredience...

Irredenta said...

Here The Name free Becasue I used one of your recipes for Aclass project In culinary school !
Garde Manger PIE

Jeremie James said...

SHEEPS PIE!!!!

WolfyDaddy said...

Vegherd's Pie

Herding veggies ...

Unknown said...

I have walked in a few pastures, and walked in cow pattie pies in my day. It is good to be wearing rubber boots then so "pasture pie" REALLY doesn't do it for me. lol

Garden Pie does sound good!

Still waiting for it to be video'ed though. Ingredients? Barley and sweet potatoes for sure!

Unknown said...

...it would be my mama's shepherd's pie because she is a vegetarian... OH! and i vote for "Sheep Food" and "Bob".

NotPlainJane said...

How bout Bob's Shroomperd Pie.
Sounds yummy n self explanatory. Just cause u OWN it!

Debbie said...

To entitle such a delight with such a common, overused word like "Garden" Pie is unworthy. After foraging through all the comments I think "Forage" Pie is more than appropriate; in fact it's quite clever! Thanks for all you do!

Debbie said...

To entitle such a delight with such a common, overused word like "Garden" Pie is unworthy. After foraging through all the comments I think "Forage" Pie is more than appropriate; in fact it's quite clever! Thanks for all you do!

Billy MacKenzie said...

Fun Guy Pie

ROS said...

Bad Hunter Pie.

Wendy said...

I see that this is an old discussion but it is one close to my heart. One of my biggest pet peeves (this is also an indicator of how good my life is) is calling a dish Shepherd's Pie when there is no Lamb in it. Personally I like "Farmer's Pie" for your veggie version, and all the restaurants in the world that have "Shepherd's Pie" on their menu but the dish is made with Beef, they should be calling it "Rancher's Pie". I'm so pathetic that I make a big stink to the owner's or manager's about false advertising. Shepherd's Pie is one of my favorite dishes and it is SO disappointing when I read the description and it says "BEEF".

Unknown said...

HI Chef John,
I must say i have quite a bit of fun discovering your site , blog , videos etc. You have a great ease and happy use of language. Everything i have seen is " FUN " great job..well done!

quick question did you ever do the Veggie " foragers pie " ? also your plant based items are great .. any chance or hope for some of use to see some great ideas with out oils or " heart issues ingredients" I know its pretty obnoxious with out all the good stuff..salt , bacon sugar, butter, cream, cheese etc but a few of us really have to watch those ingredients... any fun stuff for us would be greatly appreciated. I am from WNC and I appreciate your food love and wisdom!
By the way that " Always bet on black ..Black Lentil soup " was fantastic! I used veggie stock i made but i bet its over the top with real chicken stock!

cheers,
Pride Sasser
www.rockhousefarm.info