Some days you just need comfort foods. You know, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, chicken soup, etc. Well, this was one of those days. Actually, it was one of those weekends, but I digress. Today was such a day; a day for shepherd's pie. And since I was the one in need of comfort food, I used my easy recipe. I think the original may have come from Taste of Home (or maybe not?), but since then I have made changes to suit myself.
According to Wikipedia, shepherd's pie is a British or Irish meat pie topped with mashed potatoes. A true shepherd's pie would be made with lamb, but since I don't eat lamb, we will stick with the Americanized version. Anyway, the dish was in existence as early as 1791, but the term "shepherd's pie" was not used until the 1870s. It is even possible to make a vegetarian version, using tofu, but, hmmmm.....I don't think so.....not this Irish-descendant lass.....
According to Wikipedia, shepherd's pie is a British or Irish meat pie topped with mashed potatoes. A true shepherd's pie would be made with lamb, but since I don't eat lamb, we will stick with the Americanized version. Anyway, the dish was in existence as early as 1791, but the term "shepherd's pie" was not used until the 1870s. It is even possible to make a vegetarian version, using tofu, but, hmmmm.....I don't think so.....not this Irish-descendant lass.....
EASY SHEPHERD'S PIE
1 onion chopped
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped celery
3-6 potatoes
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup beef stock
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 env. Brown Gravy Mix
1/4 tsp Kitchen Bouquet
Salt, pepper, other seasonings of choice
Peel and quarter potatoes, boil in salted water until tender (about 20 minutes). While the potatoes are cooking, melt 4 Tablespoons butter (1/2 a stick) in large frying pan. Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter until tender over medium heat (10 mins). Add frozen vegetables. Add ground beef and sauté stock until no longer pink. Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 10 minutes, adding more beef stock as necessary to keep moist.
Mash potatoes in bowl with remainder of butter, season to taste. Place beef and onions in baking dish. Distribute mashed potatoes on top. Rough up with a fork so that there are peaks that will brown nicely. Cook in 400 degree oven until bubbling and brown (about 30 minutes). Broil for last few minutes if necessary to brown.
Serves four.
NOTE TO SELF: Next time use a deeper dish!!!!! It bubbled over. : ( But it tasted good!
So, fix yourself some nice, cozy comfort food and then bundle up under your Snuggie and relax.
Until next time, Happy Cooking! : )
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