Mushroom Shephard's Pie

Ingredients: Olive Oil
1 medium onion, chopped
8 oz Cremini mushrooms, clean and sliced
2 Tbls Sun Dried Tomato Powder
64 oz Vegetable Broth
1 oz Dried Porcini Mushrooms
Salt to Taste 

1 Pound Mixed Mushrooms - Oysters, Chantrelles, etc. 

2 Tbls Flour
2 Tbls Butter or Olive Oil 
2 Tbls Fennel Rosemary 
Salt and Pepper to taste

2 Large Russet Potatoes
Salt and Pepper to Taste
1/4 Cup Warm Milk or Cream

Make ahead - Mushroom Broth: 
Add 1-2 Tbls of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions. When the onions have softened and become translucent, add the cremini mushrooms and stir. The mushrooms will start releasing their water. Add the tomato powder and cook until the mushrooms start to brown. Add the vegetable broth and dried porcinis and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for one hour. Strain the broth and set aside. Keep the pieces of mushrooms. You can add them to the pie later. 

Make ahead - Roast the mushrooms:
Toss the pound of mixed mushrooms in olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in an oven at 400 F for 20 - 25 minutes or until the edges are brown and a knife runs cleanly through the mushroom. 

Make ahead - Mashed Potatoes: Peel and chop the potatoes. Place them in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 -15 minutes, or until the fork can easily pierce the potatoes. Drain the potatoes and return to the pan to mash. Add the salt, pepper, and the warm milk. Stir until creamy. 

Mushroom gravy: Warm a pan over medium heat. Add flour and butter and whisk together for a roux. When the roux turns a light brown, start slowly adding 1 cup of the mushroom broth. Let simmer and thicken, adding more broth as needed. Season with Fennel Rosemary, salt, and black pepper to taste. 

Assemble the pie: 
We like to make individual pies but you can also make one large pie either in a casserole pan or pie tin. Layer the roasted mushrooms and the cooked cremini from the mushroom broth. Spoon over the gravy. Top with mashed potatoes, making small peaks with the back of a spoon. 

Place the pies in the oven under a broiler for 5 minutes. 

Remove and serve!