Microwave Shepherds Pie Food

SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, uncover, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until tender and easily crushed with tongs, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Place the half-and-half and butter into a microwave-safe container and heat in the microwave until warmed through, about 35 seconds. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes and then add the half and half, butter, salt and pepper and continue to mash until smooth. Stir in the yolk until well combined.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the filling. Place the canola oil into a 12-inch saute pan and set over medium high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and carrots and saute just until they begin to take on color, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir to combine. Add the lamb, salt and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 3 minutes. Sprinkle the meat with the flour and toss to coat, continuing to cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, thyme, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer slowly 10 to 12 minutes or until the sauce is thickened slightly.
• Add the corn and peas to the lamb mixture and spread evenly into an 11 by 7-inch glass baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling up and smooth with a rubber spatula. Place on a parchment lined half sheet pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 25 minutes or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.

LIGHT SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and add 2 tablespoons water; cover and microwave until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand, covered, until ready to mash. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, beef, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in the peas and 1/4 cup water; simmer 2 minutes. Spread over the vegetables in the baking dish, then cover to keep warm.
• Preheat the broiler. Add the milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the potatoes and mash well; mix in the cheese. Spread over the meat and broil until browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes.

MICROWAVE SHEPHERDS PIE

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a lidded microwave bowl with a little water and microwave on high for ten minutes.
• In the meantime, heat the oil in a large pan or wok, add the grated onion and carrot and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the sliced mushroom and the minced lamb and fry until the lamb is brown.
• Add the wine, worcester sauce, tomato puree and rosemary and leave to simmer for 5-10 minutes, turn off the heat when the liquid has reduced to almost nothing.
• Mash the potatoes with a knob of butter and two egg whites.
• Put the lamb mixture into a large microwave dish. Spoon the mash on top and run a fork over the mash to make little peaks, top with the cheese.
• Microwave on hire for 5 minutes. For best results also grill for 2 minutes.
• Serve with mixed salad or seasonal greens. I usually make it for two and keep half in the fridge for lunch the following day.

NO-FUSS SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a medium saucepan, then soften 1 chopped onion and 2-3 chopped carrots for a few mins.
• When soft, turn up the heat, crumble in 500g lamb mince and brown, tipping off any excess fat.
• Add 2 tbsp tomato purée and a large splash of Worcestershire sauce, then fry for a few mins.
• Pour over 500ml beef stock, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 40 mins, uncovering halfway.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then make the mash. Boil the 900g potato, cut into chunks, in salted water for 10-15 mins until tender. Drain, then mash with 85g butter and 3 tbsp milk.
• Put the mince into an ovenproof dish, top with the mash and ruffle with a fork. The pie can now be chilled and frozen for up to a month.
• Bake for 20-25 mins until the top is starting to colour and the mince is bubbling through at the edges. (To bake from frozen, cook at 160C/fan 140C/gas 3 for 1 hr-1 hr 20 mins until piping hot in the centre. Flash under the grill to brown, if you like.)
• Leave to stand for 5 mins before serving.