Recipe For Making The Best Shepherds Pie

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I was watching a show called Kitchen Nightmares the other night and in this particular episode, Chef Ramsay was helping out the owners of an Irish Pub in New York. One of the dishes Chef Ramsay cooked on this episode was Shepherds Pie. It looked and sounded absolutely delicious, so I figured I would give it a try.

Shepherds Pie or sometimes spelled Shepards Pie, is a dish that is served at pubs throughout England and Ireland. It is traditionally made with finely chopped or ground lamb topped with mashed potatoes. Ground or chopped beef is often substituted for the lamb. When beef is used, the dish is referred to as “Cottage Pie”.

I am not a big fan of Lamb, so I used ground beef in the recipe that follows. My wife and I absolutely loved this dish and will certainly make it again in the future. The ground beef was excellent, but I think the next time I make this, I will try using a braised beef instead. I am thinking that some left over meat from a pot roast would work wonderfully in this dish.

Well, let’s get on with the recipe shall we? I am quite confident that you and your family will fall in love with this dish and make it again and again.

Please forgive me if any of the measurements in this recipe are not spot on accurate. I rarely follow recipes and tend to taste as I go along. I recommend you do the same and try to use the ingredients below as a guide.

The Mashed Potatoes:

I experimented and used three types of dairy with the potatoes. The result was a very fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes which worked wonderfully with the rest of the ingredients. Again, the ingredients below are a guide. I would add a little of each ingredient at a time and taste as you go. Like it creamier? Then add a bit more cream. Need more salt? Add a bit more. You could add a touch of garlic powder or freshly roasted garlic to these potatoes as well for an exciting variation.

About 5 Potatoes (I use Russets) Peeled and Cut Into Cubes

2 Tablespoons Sour Cream

1 Tablespoons Softened Cream Cheese

1 Tablespoon Butter

Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Pie Filling:

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Pound Ground Beef or Lamb

2 Carrots Peeled and Chopped

1 Onion Chopped

About 1/2 Cup Frozen Peas

Gravy:

2 Tablespoons Butter

2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour

1 Cup Beef Stock or Broth

A Healthy Squirt Worcestershire Sauce

Tsp Freshly Chopped Thyme

The Garnish:

Paprika

Freshly Chopped Parsley Leaves

Directions:

Get a pot large enough to hold your potatoes with room to spare and fill with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and then add your potatoes. Boil the potatoes in the salted water until tender. It should only take about 10-12 minutes. You can check the potatoes for doneness by piercing with a toothpick or fork. Drain the potatoes and add them to a large bowl. Add your sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until smooth. Set Aside.

While the potatoes are cooking, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil to the pan, then add the ground beef or lamb. Season the meat with a bit of salt and pepper. Brown the meat, crumbling it as you brown. If you are using meat that is high in fat, try and spoon out some of the drippings as you cook.

Add your chopped carrots and onions to the ground beef. Cook your vegetables with the meat for 5 minutes or so, stirring often. You can then remove from heat.

Now we are going to make our gravy. Grab another skillet and over medium heat cook 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour together for a few minutes, stirring often. Make certain to keep an eye on this mixture because it can burn. If it burns, the butter can turn bitter, and you will have to start over. You will only need to cook the butter and flour for a minute or so until it mixes together and is smooth.

Add your beef broth or stock,Worcestershire Sauce, and fresh thyme to the flour and butter mixture. Stir and allow gravy to thicken. It should only take a minute or so.

Add the gravy to your meat and veggies and stir in your frozen peas.

Preheat your oven broiler to high.

Now grab a relatively small round or rectangular baking dish and fill it with your meat and veggie mixture.

Top the mixture with your mashed potatoes and spread evenly over the mixture. Sprinkle some paprika on top and broil around 5 - 6 inches from the heat until the potatoes are evenly browned.

Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and serve.

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Shepherds Pie Recipe - Ground Beef Shepherds Pie Recipe

Shepherds Pie Recipe - Ground Beef Shepherds Pie Recipe
By Brandy Summers

A hearty meal of shepherds pie will give you that warm glow during the colder months. This recipe features ground beef, potatoes, cheese and mushroom soup.

5 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 pound ground beef

6 slices American cheese

1 (10.75oz.) can condensed golden mushroom soup

3 teaspoons butter (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place the potatoes into a large saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and mash.

While the potatoes are cooking, crumble the ground beef into a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Drain off the grease. Stir in the mushroom soup.

Transfer mixture to an 8-inch square baking dish. Layer the slices of cheese over the meat. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Dot with butter.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

=> Shepards Pie Recipe: Down Home Shepherds Pie

Another homemade version of shepards pie featuring ground beef, potatoes, corn, beans, cheese and gravy.

1 (7.6 oz.) package potato flakes

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 onion, finely diced

1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (15 oz.) can green beans, drained

4 (10.5 oz.) cans brown gravy

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 pound American cheese slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare potatoes according to directions on box. Set aside.

In a large skillet, sauté ground beef over medium heat for 1 minute. Add onion to skillet and continue to cook until beef is no longer pink and onion is beginning to brown. Drain off some of the grease.

Add corn, green beans and gravy to the skillet. Mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread potatoes over the top. Layer cheese slices over potatoes.

Bake for 40 minutes, or until cheese turns golden brown.

=> Sheppards Pie Recipe: Chicken Sheppards Pie

This sheppards pie recipe features chicken, potatoes, garlic, cheese and spices.

8 potatoes

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup milk

1 medium head roasted garlic

1 pound chicken breast, cooked and shredded

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon thyme, chopped

1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1 cup corn

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the head of garlic in half and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap garlic in aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Peel, chop and boil the potatoes until tender; drain. Mash potatoes. Add butter, milk and the roasted garlic; mix well. Set aside.

In the bottom of a casserole dish, arrange the chicken evenly on the bottom. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary. Layer on the peppers, corn and all but 1/4 cup of the cheese. Spread mashed potatoes on top.

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until brown around the edges.

=> Shepherds Pie Recipe: Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe

If you like shepherds pie, but don’t have time to fuss over a longer recipe, you can whip up this version in a short time. It’s still homemade and will hit the spot perfectly.

1 pound roast beef, cooked and cubed

2 onions, sliced thinly

1/2 cup homemade beef gravy

4 cups mashed potatoes, cooked

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Layer the roast beef in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish. Layer the sliced onions on top and pour on the gravy. Spread the mashed potatoes on top.

Bake for 1 hour, or until potatoes are browned.

=> Shepherds Pie Recipe: Turkey Shepherds Pie

This version of shepherds pie will take a little bit more effort, but you’ll be rewarded with a savory pie featuring turkey, red potatoes, zucchini, green beans, mushrooms, cheese, spices and a whole wheat crust.

5 large red potatoes, peeled

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup milk

2 (9-inch) whole wheat pie crusts

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup diced onion

1 pound ground turkey

1 large carrot, julienned

1 zucchini, thickly sliced

1/4 cup canned green beans, halved

6 large fresh mushrooms, quartered

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons butter, diced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Boil potatoes until tender. Mash with 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine and milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Saute onion and carrots in olive oil until soft. Stir in the ground turkey, parsley, thyme and garlic. Once turkey is almost browned and broken up, add zucchini and mushrooms. Salt and pepper to taste; drain. Stir in the flour.

Divide meat mixture into two whole wheat pie crusts. Sprinkle cheese over meat, if desired. Spread green beans over the cheese. Spread mashed potatoes evenly
over mixture. Dot with butter.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are slightly browned.

=> Sheperds Pie Recipe: Savory Sausage Sheperds Pie

A real hearty sheperds pie meal for sausage lovers.

1 pound sausage, uncooked

1 (12 oz.) jar beef gravy

1 (10 oz.) package frozen mixed vegetables

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 (24 oz.) package prepared mashed potatoes

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a skillet, crumble and cook the sausage over medium high heat until brown. Drain on paper towels.

In a bowl, combine the sausage, gravy, vegetables and Worcestershire sauce.

Pour mixture into a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes evenly on top. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.

Mmmm . . . where can you find that yummy recipe?

Milkshakes, Smoothies, Brownies, Chili, Casseroles and more!

http://www.best-free-cooking-recipes.com

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