Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Soak the lentils for 12 hours.

Place in boiling water and cook until tender.

Heat the butter in a frying pan and fry the onions, peeled and cut into slices, until brown.

Remove them from the pan. Add the flour and fry a few minutes; gradually add the water in which the lentils have been cooked.

Stir and bring to the boil; add salt, pepper, herbs and flavoring.

Turn the lentils into a pie dish or meat tin.

Moisten with as much sauce as required.

Cover with plenty of well mashed potatoes and bake in the oven for 1 hour with the "regulo" at mark 7. The remainder of the sauce may be thinned with more vegetable stock and served with the pie.

Beans or peas may be used in place of the lentils.