Lauries Shepherds Pie Recipes

LAMB SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the garlic, bay leaf, carrot, celery, onion and oil in a medium skillet and cook, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to the perimeter of the pan and add the lamb. Increase the heat to high and cook, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon, until browned all over. Sprinkle with the mustard, 1 teaspoon of the salt and some pepper. Stir until fragrant, 1 minute, then add the tomato paste, fennel seeds and tomato puree and stir again. Cook for 1 minute more. Turn off the heat and stir in the mint and sage. Remove the bay leaf.
• Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover by 2 inches with salted water. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until a knife releases easily from the potatoes when pierced in the center, 12 to 15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the potatoes. In the same pot, combine the milk, butter, and 1/2 cup of the cooking water and stir together over high heat. Bring to a boil. Mash the potatoes with a masher, then slowly drizzle the hot liquid over the potatoes and stir until light and fluffy. Taste and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon the lamb mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch deep-dish pie plate, spreading it evenly over the bottom. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, covering completely. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to create a swirled pattern in the potatoes. Bake until the topping turns golden in spots, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

LAURIE'S SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the potatoes into a saucepan and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain and mash with margarine and milk until fairly smooth.
• Meanwhile, crumble the ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook and stir until beef is browned; drain excess fat.
• Place the beef and onion mixture into the bottom of the pie shell, pour the cream-style corn over it. Spread mashed potatoes to cover the top of the pie.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the pie crust and potatoes are golden brown.

GRAMMY'S SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Make the potatoes: Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender, 12 to 14 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain and place the potatoes in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
• Combine the sour cream and egg, then add to the potatoes; season with a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Whip, adding 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water at a time, until smooth and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Fold in all but 1 tablespoon of the scallions and set aside.
• Make the filling: Melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion and beef substitute and saute until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the top and saute to cook off the flour flavor, about 1 minute. Whisk in the beer and stock until combined. Stir in the corn, edamame, steak sauce, garlic powder and red pepper flakes until combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook to reduce the liquid by one-third, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Fill six 4-inch cast-iron skillets (or ramekins) halfway with the filling. Divide the mashed potatoes among the pans. Place the skillets on a baking sheet and bake until the mashed potatoes start to brown and the sauce is bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Top with the remaining scallions.