30 minute Shepherd's Pie

Today we had guests for lunch. In total there were four adults and six little kids to feed. What better dish to make than a traditional English Shepherd's Pie. It's easy to make, tasty - filled with minced meat as well as veggies - and works for kids all ages.

To spice up my lunch I decided to go International: Spanish "jamon" and French mini-quiches as appetizers, "American" salad with dried cranberries, English Shepherd's Pie, Swiss Mousse au Chocolat accompanied by Italian wine for the adults. 

All I can say is that there was nothing left at the end of the day! ;)

Following is the recipe for the Shepherd's Pie:

Ingredients:

2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed

2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese

1 large egg yolk

1/2 cup cream, for a lighter version substitute vegetable or chicken broth

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan

1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground l

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup beef stock or broth

2 teaspoons Worcestershire, eyeball it

1/2 cup frozen peas, a couple of handfuls

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preparation:

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl. 

2. Combine sour cream, egg yolk and cream. Add the cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth. 

3. While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to hot pan with beef or lamb. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. If you are using lamb and the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings.

4. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently. 

5. In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.

6. Preheat broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly. Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned. 

7. Top casserole dish with chopped parsley and serve.