Root Vegetable Slab Pie Recipes

BEEF-AND-ROOT-VEGETABLE SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Stew:Preheat oven to 300 degrees with rack in lowest position. Season beef with salt and pepper; toss with flour to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown beef in 3 batches, scraping and wiping out pot and adding just enough oil to coat pot between batches. Transfer beef to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon oil, the ginger, and garlic to pot; cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Return beef to pot; add broth and prunes. Wrap cinnamon, cloves, zest, and peppercorns in cheesecloth, tie with kitchen twine, and add to pot. Bring to a simmer. Cover, and cook in oven until beef is almost tender, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, cook onions in boiling water 2 minutes. Drain, peel, and add to stew. Cover, and cook until beef is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Break up prunes; remove spice bundle. Let cool completely; refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Topping:Place potatoes in a saucepan, cover with 2 inches of water, and add 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Combine carrots and parsnips in another pan; cover with 2 inches of water, and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring vegetables to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes; dry out in pan on stovetop 5 minutes. Drain carrots and parsnips.
• Heat milk and butter until butter is melted. Mash vegetables together; stir in milk mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely; refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spoon stew into ovenproof heavy skillets or baking dishes. Cover with vegetable mash; sprinkle cheese on top. Bake until stew is bubbling and cheese is melted, about 50 minutes, depending on pan size.

ROOT VEGETABLE PAVE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. With a mandoline or vegetable peeler, cut the first 5 ingredients into very thin slices. Transfer to a large bowl; toss with flour. Stir in the cream, thyme, 1 tablespoon rosemary, salt and pepper., Place half of the vegetable mixture into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining vegetable mixture. Place pan on a baking sheet and cover with a double thickness of foil., Bake until vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a knife, 1-3/4 to 2 hours. Remove from oven and top foil with large canned goods as weights. Let stand 1 hour. Remove cans, foil and rim from pan before cutting. Top with remaining cheese. Add reserved fennel fronds and, as desired, additional fresh thyme and pepper. Refrigerate leftovers.