I like a good solid utensil when I dig in to that very first bite of creamy mashed potatoes, peas and ground beef seasoned with love and salt. I can’t decide which layer is my favorite. The meat filled with chopped onions, celery and carrots or the gravy creme sauce keeping the peas on my fork or the decadent mashed potatoes covering the top like a fresh layer of snow.
I love making shepherds pie because I love the way its going to make my eaters feel. I happened upon a great recipe when I was participating in the Whole 30 program and it was delicious. Even the guys ate it up, so to speak. When I am not on the Whole 30 (which is the rest of my life) I add a cream sauce to the layer of peas just for a bit of moisture but seriously, even the Whole 30 version was not dry even without the sauce. I like to modify recipes to suit my tastes and availability of ingredients. This will probably never be made the same way twice but its always wonderful. Its simple food. Its meat and potatoes food (literally). Its farm boy food. I’m not a farm boy but I could eat a lot more than I should. I must eat it slow and savor every bit so as not to over consume.
As far as I’m concerned Shepherds pie is the ultimate in comfort food. There is nothing in it not to like. No foreign flavors or smells. Just down home cooking with no preservatives or chemicals. The last time I made it I used an ice cream scoop for the potatoes. Lined up nice straight lines of mashed potatoe balls, making it look like a picture on the cover of Bon Appetite. Great for company or for blessing someone in need. If you want to take food to a grieving friend or family, shepherds pie brings sustenance, nourishment and comfort like no other.
The last time I made Shepherds pie my mind wondered off to Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….The fact that Psalm 23 brings great comfort to many was not lost on me and I imagined that Shepherds pie was Psalm 23’s namesake. He makes me to lay down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restoreth my soul….such comforting words that bring peace and rest. I find myself breathing a sigh of relief each time I hear these words. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me…..(Clearly I have this memorized in the King James Version) Thou preparest a table for me in the presence or mine enemies, and on that table is, none other than, Shepherds pie. I am sure of it. I can feel the stress leave my body as I recite Psalm 23 just as I can when I savour that first bite of Shepherds pie. The aroma lingers in the kitchen long after the pie is consumed and the leftovers are just as good as the first day, if not better. Yes I believe this is the Shepherds very own recipe.
I’m going to try to write down the concept for you below:
Its not exact, which might drive some of you recipe followers crazy, but here it is:
Make mashed potatoes – however many you want. You’ll be able to estimate based on the size of casserole dish you will use. Once my potatoes are boiled, I drain them and mash them and add milk and butter (lots). Salt and pepper. Set these aside.
Make a cream sauce. The way I make creme sauce is by melting a couple of tablespoons of butter in a sauce pan then adding enough flour to make a pasty roux. Next I add milk approximately 1/2 a cup at a time. Each time it thickens I add some more milk until its the consistency I want it. I don’t want it to too thick. If you so desire you can add gravy mix to it or if you have gravy, combine the two sauces and then I add this to approximately a half a bag (or whatever) of steamed peas. You can use any steamed small veggie that you want or have on hand. Peas are my favorite.
Next I fry ground beef in my favorite non stick frying pan (again however much you have or want to use). I’d say the amount I use would look like two pounds of butter. I add finely chopped onions, celery and carrots to this. Again to taste. I try to grow my casserole by putting lots of chopped veggies in the meat.
Once these three elements are ready, I just layer them with the meat at the bottom. Next the layer of peas and topped off with the mashed potatoes. I add a sprinkling of paprika over the potatoes and some more pats of butter. As many as you desire. (The Whole 30 used clarified butter or ghee). To make this Whole 30 friendly just leave out the creme sauce.
Then I cook it at 350 for about 30 – 45 minutes. Just until its hot all the way through (because everything has been precooked). This also give the flavors a chance to meld.
ENJOY!
The Red Plaid Apron 