Shepherd's Pie

Serves 6 to 8

Baking Temperature: 350 degrees

Time: 25 to 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pounds ground beef, turkey or chicken
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 long carrots, coined
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoon flour
  • 2 teaspoons ketchup (or tomato paste)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
  • 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
  • 2 cups chicken broth (2 cups hot water + 2 tablespoons chicken bullion)
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup corn (optional)

Mashed Potato Topping: (adapted from Alton Brown, Food Network)

  • 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
  • 1/4 cup half and half (milk)
  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) butter
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg

Biscuit Topping: (courtesy of Russ Stevens)

  • 2 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup milk

Brown meat in a pan with some olive oil and drain fat. Remove meat from pan and add more olive oil and carrots. Add onion and cook until translucent and then add garlic. Add back in the meat, and include salt and pepper. Sprinkle the mixture with flour and stir while cooking for another minute. Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and thyme and stir together. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens. Add the peas and corn (optional) and mix well. Place in a pan and add a topping.

There are two types of topping to select, depending on preference and tradition: Mashed Potatoes, and Biscuit Topping.

Mashed Potatoes Topping - Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then lower temperature and cook until tender and easily pricked with a fork. Drain the potatoes and return to the pot and mash until well blended. Gently heat the half and half and butter and warm in a microwave until heated through, add to potatoes. Add salt and pepper and egg to mixture and mash until smooth and fluffy.

Top the meat and vegetable mixture with mashed potatoes by coating the top to seal in the juices. Smooth the mashed potatoes over the meat and vegetable mixture and create a seal to prevent juices from bubbling out. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden. Remove and let cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Biscuit Topping - Mix dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender. Add milk to center and mix together with a fork. Drop in balls/clumps on top of filling to create a biscuit topping. Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 min or until topping is cooked and filling is bubbling.