See, I had just had a baby. my third child. I was sore, tired, and an emotional postpartum wreck to say the least. Then my buddy shows up with dinner, and I probably cried. It was the best thing in the world. So really when I think of this recipe I am really full of overexagerated feelings of warm comfort food love for my dear Steph. I’ll admit when she said she was bringing sheperds pie, this was not at all what I was thinking!
When I think of Shepherd’s Pie…I think leftover meat. Or ground beef. Cream of something. Green beans. Left over mashed potatoes.
THEN I had this Shepherd’s Pie, and was in love.I loved the thyme. I loved the non-gloppy no cream of something. Fresh herbs, warm cheese, delicious flavors.
1st. Turkey, herbs and spices
2nd. Potatoes
3rd. CHEESE.
4th. Bake. and eat piping hot! (Does anyone else think of Paula Dean when you hear the phrase piping hot?)
I love to make this dish with leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken. However, you can use ground turkey or beef too. The herbs, spices and toppings all compliment any sort of meat.
Fresh herbs, warm cheese, delicious flavors.
- 1 Tbs salt
- 3 large potatoes quartered
- 2 Tbs butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ to 1/3 cup milk
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey or left over turkey or rotisserie chicken
- 1 large carrot grated or chopped
- 1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 Tbs soy sauce
- 1-2 cups of cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh baby spinach optional
- In a large stock pot, bring water to a boil; stir in salt. Add potatoes and boil gently for about 15 to 20 minutes or until they are soft. Drain off water and add butter and salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes, adding enough milk to make a smooth mixture. Set aside.
- Preheat oven the 375 degrees. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the onion and stir-fry until tender. Stir in ground beef; then add carrot, spinach, parsley, garlic, and thyme. Cook until beef is thoroughly browned, stirring frequently. Drain off any excess oil. Add soy sauce and stir well. Taste, and add more salt and pepper if desired. Spread the meat mixture evenly in the bottom of a deep pie dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
- Add desired cheese and place in oven till melted
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never made shepherd’s pie before but excited to venture !