Southwestern Shepherds Pie Crock Pot Food

SOUTHWESTERN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño; cook for 2 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high; add beef and brown for 5 minutes.
• 2. Add tomato paste and spices; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes; simmer until liquid reduces, 15 minutes. Add corn, beans, and 4 tablespoons cilantro. Spoon into a 9x9-inch baking dish.
• 3. Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain; mash with butter and milk. Spread mash over the meat mixture. Bake in a 400°F oven until brown, 30 minutes. Garnish with more cilantro.

SMOKY SOUTHWESTERN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• In large skillet, brown ground beef with onion over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, combine water, margarine and salt.
• Bring to a boil.
• Remover from heat.
• Stir in milk and potato flakes.
• Cover; let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir in greel chiles and 1/2 cup of the cheese.
• Drain beef mixture. Add enchilada sauce, chipotle chiles, cumin and oregano, mixing well.
• Bring to a boil; remove from heat.
• Spread beef mixture in ungreased shallow 2 quart casserole. Top with corn. Spread potatoes evenly over corn and top with remaining cheese.
• Bake at 400 for 13 to 17 minutes or until cheese is melted and filling is bubbly. Sprinkle with paprika and green onions.
• Top with tomato wedges; let stand 5 minutes before serving.

SHEPHERD'S PIE (CROCK POT)

Steps:

• Brown the meat with the onion, garlic, celery and carrots until ground beef is no longer pink; drain any fat.
• Mix corn, sweet peas, salt, black pepper, tomato paste and water (fill up the 6 oz tomato paste can for measurement) into the meat mixture; stir well.
• Spray the inside of the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray; pour meat mixture into the bottom of crockpot; press into the bottom of the crockpot so it is dense and even.
• Spread leftover mashed potatoes (evenly) over the meat mixture.
• Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with paprika (optional, for garnish).
• Cook on low 6 hours (high 3 hours); then, remove the lid for 30 minutes to allow the potatoes to brown.
• Sprinkle pie with fresh, chopped parsley (optional, for garnish).
• VARIATION 1: CHEESY SHEPHERD'S PIE--Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the pie by pressing the cheese over the meat mixture, and then layering the mashed potatoes on top of the cheese; Cook same length, same way.
• VARIATION 2: RUNZA/CABBAGE SHEPHERD'S PIE--Substitute shredded cabbage (2 cups) for the peas and corn; cook same length, same way.

VEGETARIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE (CROCK POT)

Steps:

• To make the topping: in a pot of boiling water, cook sweet potatoes until tender (20-30 minutes). Drain; mash potatoes, stir in butter and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• To make the pie: in a bowl combine bulgur and boiling water; set aside for 20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Set aside.
• Over medium heat, heat oil in a skillet for 30 seconds or so.
• Add vegetables (onions - parsnips) and cook, stirring until vegetables are softened (6-10 minutes).
• Stir in garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper, continuing to cook stirring for another minute or so.
• Stir in mushrooms, tossing to coat.
• Stir in flour and cook stirring for another minute or so.
• Stir in broth and tomato paste. Bring mixture to a boil and then transfer to slow cooker.
• Add bulgur and stir in well.
• Spread sweet potato topping over mixture.
• Place a tea towel folded in half over top of stoneware to absorb excess moisture. (I used a paper towel but a tea towel would probably work so much better.).
• Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on High for 3-4 hours or until vegetables are tender.
• Sprinkle with Swiss cheese if using, and cover and cook on high for another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

SOUTHWESTERN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the enchilada sauce, flour, chipotle peppers, cumin and oregano; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the water, milk, butter and salt; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in potato flakes until combined. Add chiles and 1/2 cup cheese., Transfer meat mixture to 2 greased 11x7-in. baking dishes. Layer with corn, mashed potato mixture and remaining cheese. Sprinkle with green onions. Cover and freeze 1 casserole for up to 3 months. , Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly. Sprinkle with paprika., Freeze option: Thaw casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. , Cover and bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly, or until a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°, 15-20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with paprika.