Toddler Shepherds Pie Food

TODDLER RECIPE: MINI SHEPHERD'S PIES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan, add the onion and cook for around 5 mins until softened. Stir in the garlic, carrots, celery, pepper and cumin. Cook for a further two mins, then add the lamb. Brown the meat, tipping off any excess fat. Add the courgette and tomato purée, then fry for a few mins more. Pour in the stock, add the lentils and bring to a simmer. Cook for 40 mins, stirring from time to time.
• Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Boil the potatoes for 10-15 mins until tender. Drain, then mash with the butter and milk.
• Remove the lamb mixture from the heat and use a stick blender to purée. Stir as you purée, blending down the pieces of vegetables. Spoon into 8 largish individual ramekins. Top with the mash and grated cheese. The pie can now be chilled and frozen for up to a month.
• Bake for 30 mins until the top is golden and the mince is bubbling up at the sides. (Cook from frozen at 160C/fan 140C/gas 3 for about 40 mins, then turn up to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 for 20-30 mins or until golden on top and piping hot in the centre.) Leave to stand for at least 10 mins before serving. Check it has cooled down sufficiently in the centre before giving it to young children.

TODDLER SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan, cover by 1 inch with water and bring to a boil.
• Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and then drain potatoes well.
• Transfer to a heatproof bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth, adding some of the reserved cooking water to make potatoes spreadable. (Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water for later use.)
• Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
• Add carrots and cook until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add peas and cook until carrots and peas are very tender, about 2 minutes more.
• Drain well and set aside.
• Cook ground lamb in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through but still juicy, 5 to 7 minute.
• Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent and lamb is cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
• Add reserved 1/2 cup cooking water and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until just thickened, about 1 minute more.
• Remove from heat and stir in carrots and peas.
• Transfer lamb and vegetable mixture to an 8-inch-square baking dish and spread potatoes evenly over the top and serve. (Optional: Preheat the broiler. Place the dish under the broiler until potatoes are just browned, 2 to 4 minutes, watching carefully to ensure they don't burn.)
• The pie will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
• (Suggested age: 12 months and up)

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.

SHEPHERDS PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add potatoes and cook for about 25 minutes. Drain the potatoes. Then mash in a medium bowl with 2 TBSP of water.
• Brown the ground beef
• Drain the whole kernel corn.
• In a 2 qt casserole dish spread the meat along the bottom, pour the corn over the meat then the mashed potatoes and top with cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

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. ;).