It is a toss up whether to make this Instructable as simple as the recipe, or to make something a bit more fun that really shows off this meal.

If you have seen my other prize winning entries, you will know that I love creating the Instructable as much as I love creating the subject of it.

The basic 3 ingredient* Shepherd's Pie is really simple to make but don't be fooled, the taste is awesome.

*At it's most basic there are only 3 ingredients, but I always look at what is in the fridge and include whatever I think will suit. I'll give some ideas, before you prepare this, be sure to look at the "Optional Extras" step.

Supplies

Ingredients for 2 people with plenty of leftovers:

1 cup green lentils
1 packet French Onion soup
4 potatoes

Step 1: Cook the Lentils

Rinse the lentils, then soak them in plenty of water for at least a couple of hours, all day if you can. While this isn't strictly necessary, it costs nothing to do and will cut the cooking time significantly. By doing that you save energy and help keep your power bills a little more reasonable.

About an hour before you plan to eat, add the lentils to a saucepan with just enough water to cover them. Add the French Onion soup, get it boiling, and then bring it back to a simmer. What you want is the lentils to get soft and the mixture to be become thick. If it gets too thick too early, add a little water. The good thing is you can't over-cook this, at worst the lentils will end up a bit more mushy.

You do need to keep an eye on the simmering pot. Lentils, like most pulses, tend to catch on the bottom of the saucepan, so stir it often, scraping the bottom as best you can. Add a little salt and pepper if you like, but be careful, soup mix can be salty, so be sure to have a taste before seasoning.

Step 2: Prepare the Topping

How do I write instructions for something as simple as steam/boil the potatoes and then mash them?

I'll give it a go: Steam/boil the potatoes and then mash them ;o)

Leave the skin on the potatoes, I don't understand why people peel most vegetables.

If we have any I add about a cup of yogurt to the topping, you won't believe how good that tastes. Otherwise some plant or cow milk or whatever, to make the mash a bit more creamy (easier to spread) and rich. Season with salt and pepper.

Now you should have a pot of almost cooked lentils and a bowl with your mashed topping.

Let's check out some bonus extras

Step 3: Optional Extras

Optional extras:

Pumpkin
Sweet potato
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Peas
Carrots
Herbs
Tumeric
Whatever

I rarely use only potatoes in the topping. The one made for this Instructable also has steamed pumpkin, sometimes I add steamed sweet potato. If you are feeling adventurous, while the lentils are cooking, roast the pumpkin or sweet potato until it is well done, then mix into the potatoes...YUM!

I love my cooked vegetables crunchy. Call me weird, but soft cooked carrots are like baby food. I cook them for just a couple of minutes, until they become more colourful. They will cook a little more when you add them to the lentils.

My partner prefers vegetables cooked more. This sometimes creates a bit of loving tension, but since I do the cooking, I get to decide.

We had a bumper crop of tumeric, so I added some - I add it to almost everything. Our thyme is going really well so I included that for the first time. This is only limited by your imagination, the lentils can be thought of as a base.

Whatever you decide on, either steam them first or add the extras before the lentils are done, allowing time for them to cook as well.

Step 4: Put It Together

Once the lentils are cooked, add them to a baking dish of some sort. Spread the potatoes on the top: start with a few blobs and spread it out, keep adding until you have the lentils completely covered. This is where adding yogurt or milk helps make the topping spread more easily.

Sometimes I put the pie in the oven for 20 minutes to brown and crisp the top a little, but I think it is habit rather than being necessary.

Consider putting a tray underneath the pie dish in the oven, it will sometimes bubble over if it's very full. It is easier to clean a tray that to clean the oven.