Shepherd's Pie
Prep time: 40 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 1 hour 10 mins
Ingredients
  • 2½ pounds (1 kg + 130 g) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bigger pieces
  • 8 garlic gloves, peeled
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, heated
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter, unsalted
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 pounds (1 kg) organic ground lamb (or beef)
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 carrots, coarsely chopped
  • 7 ounces (200 g) frozen peas
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth (I used organic chicken base)
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
  1. Preheat you oven to 425 F (220 C). Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Set aside.
  2. Place potatoes and garlic in a bigger pot. Cover with water.
  3. Bring to a boil, add some salt and cook until the potatoes are cooked, about 30 minutes.
  4. Drain the water and add the butter. Let it melt.
  5. Mash potatoes with the milk. Season with salt to your liking.
  6. Heat a larger pan over medium heat and cook the bacon until browned and crisp. Transfer the bacon, without the drippings to a plate. Set aside. Leave about 2 Tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pan. Remove the rest.
  7. Add onions to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Add the carrots and cook both veggies for about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from pan and set aside.
  8. Add ground lamb to the pan and cook on medium high heat until done, stirring occasionally.
  9. Return the onions and carrots to the pan and sprinkle with the flour. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
  10. Stir in the peas, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth and tomato paste. Scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  11. Simmer on low heat until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
  12. Spoon lamb mixture in prepared baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes on top, evenly. Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until edges are bubbly and topping is lightly browned.
  13. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for another 10 minutes.
  14. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe by My Kitchen in the Rockies | A Denver, Colorado Food Blog at http://www.mykitchenintherockies.com/2012/01/27/sheperds-pie/