Shepherd's Pie

Really it's not Shepherd's Pie unless you use ground lamb, but since I have beef in my freezer that's what I used. So call it Cottage Pie if you want to get technical.

I found Gordon Ramsay's recipe online, and (dare I say it) I tweeked it...but just slightly. I wasn't crazy about putting egg yolks and heavy cream in my mashed potatoes when sour cream was much simpler. I also added some freezer corn to up the veggie count. Ramsay's recipe states that the meat mixture should have a mash consistency--so chunks of meat or veg are a no-no. We pick our sweet corn young and I think the tiny kernels added a nice element to this dish that remained in keeping with Gordon's version.

Perfect for the cooler weather we've been having, and an easy meal to serve guests, give it a try this week.

Shepherd's Pie
Makes a 2 qt. dish (about 6 servings)

POTATO MASH:
4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 c. sour cream
salt and pepper, to taste

MEAT FILLING:
1 lb. ground beef (or lamb)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced (almost minced)
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. rosemary
1/8 tsp. thyme
1/4 c. worchestershire
1/4 c. red wine
1/4 c. water or stock
1/2 small can of tomato paste (about 2 Tbsp.)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 pint freezer corn

1/4 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
dash of paprika (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Boil potatoes in salt water (about 15 mins.), then drain and mash with other potato mash ingredients.
2. Preheat oven to 400.
3. In a large frying pan, brown meat, breaking it up into fine pieces. Meanwhile, in a large pot, heat oil (medium heat) then add onion, carrot and garlic and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
4. Drain meat, then add to veggie mixture along with remaining ingredients (except for parmesan cheese and paprika) and simmer for at least 5 minutes.
***You could put the meat and veggies in the same pot, but I like to cook them separately to ensure the onions and carrots are well-cooked and to eliminate any excess grease from the meat.
5. Layer in greased 2 qt. oven-safe dish, gently spread potatoes over top, then top with cheese. Take a fork and stab the top a couple times to create little peaks that will lightly brown. Dash with paprika for some color (optional) and bake for 20 minutes.