I’m an Idaho girl. My husband has lovingly called me “Spud” a time or two at dinnertime. I guess this means I make more potatoes than he was used to eating before we were married. I use potatoes in my meals quite a bit. When you’re surrounded by potato farms in the summer and fall, it’s a good reminder to stock up on potatoes for the winter months.
Add some meat and veggies and a meal is made…. right? Well it’s almost that easy.
I keep my freezer, fridge and pantry stocked with staple foods and I just love when I’m able to use these items to make a good healthy and hearty meal without making a trip to the store. And it’s even better when the meal makes it on the top 10 favorite list in our home.
We have had so much snow this winter and it’s been coooolllllllddd. I, of course, just want to make warm comfort foods and make it all better. This makes everything all better!
But… my favorite part of this meal is its nickname here in the Hawkes’ household. It’s ‘Derek’s Pie’. Yes.. we are fans of Grey’s Anatomy.
Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 large onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly
- 2 fresh cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 tsp sea salt, divided
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1/3 cup beef stock
- 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 or 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 heavy cream (you could use milk)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and boil them for 10-15 minutes or until they are tender when you stab them with a fork.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter and add the onions and carrots. Cook them over medium heat until they start to soften. It should take about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and ground beef, using a spatula to break it up as it cooks. Add 1 tsp sea salt.
- Sprinkle the flour over the top of the beef and stir well. Add the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Let it simmer until the juices thicken.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes to break them up. {**I use a Pampered Chef Mix ‘N Chop to mash my potatoes} Add the butter and heavy cream. Continue mashing until the potatoes are smooth and the cream and butter are incorporated fully. Season with the black pepper and 2 tsps. salt.
- Add the peas to the meat mixture. Place meat mixture in pie pan or 9×9 pan, whatever you have available.
- Top the beef mixture with the mashed potatoes and spread them into an even layer. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top of the potatoes.
- Turn the oven to broil. Place the pie on a sheet pan and place under the broiler. Let broil just long enough for the cheese and the potatoes to become golden around the edges.
- Remove from oven and serve.
adapted from girl gone gourmet
Much love,
Teauna
Because I Can 