Comforting Shepherds Pie Food

GORDON RAMSAY SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Bring a large cast iron skillet, skillet, or frying pan to high heat with the olive oil.
• After the oil is hot, add in the ground lamb. Spread in an even layer and crisp one side, then turn and crisp the bottom side. Break apart the ground lamb after it is browned and crisped. Season the lamb with salt and pepper (use the first portion of salt & pepper, 1 teaspoon of each).
• Add in the onion, garlic, and carrot and cook for about 2-4 minutes till vegetables are soft.
• Pour in the Worcestershire sauce then the tomato puree and combine. Add in the red wine, thyme and rosemary and cook until most of the wine has evaporated off.
• Pour in the chicken stock and cook for 3-4 minutes. Then turn heat off and set aside.
• In a large stockpot cover peeled potatoes with water then boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Drain.
• Mash potatoes either with a fork or a ricer if you have one.
• Season with the remaining salt & pepper.
• Stir in the butter, egg yolks and stir very quickly then add the Parmesan cheese and combine well. (Optional - reserve a few tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese for topping the Shepherds pie)
• Spoon the lamb meat into a casserole dish and then top with the potato. Using a spatula run the potatoes completely over the mince filling in any holes. It should look like a smooth mound.
• Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on the top and then using a fork drag along the top of the potatoes (this will give the potatoes a nice crunchy texture where they get raised by the fork).
• Place in your preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 18-20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow 5-10 minutes to cool before serving.

COMFORTING SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• If you're making your own, prepare mashed potatoes; set aside.
• Brown beef and onion in lg skillet over med-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring til beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain and return to skillet.
• Add carrots and peas; stir in flour, 1 t salt, 1/4 t pepper,& tomato paste.
• Add broth, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• Spoon mixture into lightly greased 7x11" baking dish.
• Stir together mashed potatoes, egg, and remaining 1 t salt and 1/4 t pepper; spoon over beef mixture.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes; top w/ grated cheddar and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
• NOTE: I use condensed beef broth for a beefier/heartier flavor. ;).

COMFORTING POOR MAN'S SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Make mashed potatoes using the 10 potatoes. I boiled my potatoes, drain and then mash wtih butter and milk to a smooth consistency.
• While the potatoes are cooking, brown the ground beef until thoroughly cooked. Drain and rinse off grease.
• Grease a casserole or baking dish with butter or spray with Pam.
• Once potatoes are mashed, line the bottom and sides of the casserole dish with a little under 2/3 of the potatoes. Make it look like a crust.
• Mix together the ground beef and creamed corn. Pour into the casserole as the filling.
• Top the filling with the remaining mashed potatoes, spreading to the sides and having it meet the "crust".
• Bake in a 400 degree oven until the top is lightly browned - about 30 to 45 minutes.