Shepherd’s Pie

This potato-topped shepherd’s pie gets extra flavor from the cheese and carrots that are added to the mashed potato crust. And you can take a shortcut with the crust because the recipe calls for frozen mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground round $
• 1 cup chopped onion $
• 1/2 (8-oz.) package fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 (14 1/2-oz.) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Cheese-and-Carrot Mashed Potatoes

Directions:

1. Brown beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove ground beef from skillet using a slotted spoon; reserve 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Reduce heat to medium.

2. Sauté onion, mushrooms, and garlic in hot drippings over medium heat 10 to 11 minutes or until tender. Stir in ground beef, peas, and next 4 ingredients. Sprinkle flour over meat mixture. Increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, bay leaf, and vinegar, breaking up large tomato pieces with a spoon. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove bay leaf. Transfer mixture to a lightly greased 3-qt. baking dish or pan. Spoon Cheese-and-Carrot Mashed Potatoes evenly over meat mixture, smoothing with back of spoon.

3. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

Note: To make ahead, prepare recipe as directed through Step 2. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator 24 hours. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated, shielding with aluminum foil after 25 minutes to prevent excessive browning.

Source: Alberta Watson, Chicago, Illinois, Southern Living
JULY 2008