Shepherd's Pie

I make this a little different every time. And sometimes I've used instant mashed potatoes, but I had time for the real thing this time. Oh, and technically this is a "cottage pie" since it uses beef. I was surprised that Safeway actually had ground lamb, but at something like $12/lb, I went for the beef! You can also just saute the beef & vegetables together to save time, but I like browning them separately (also makes it easier to drain fat from the beef). Sometimes I've added grated cheese (either on top or mixed into the potatoes), but it can get a little greasy.

Other variations:
- if you don't use mushrooms, use more ground beef - up to 2 lbs (it's pretty flexible)
- You can use a bag of frozen peas & carrots instead of using fresh carrots

Shepherd's Pie

-Your favorite mashed potatoes (I used 4 large russet potatoes mashed with milk, a little butter, a little cream cheese, salt & pepper, and added some chopped green onions)
-1 lb ground beef
-4 cloves garlic, minced
-1 box mushrooms, halved & sliced
-1 onion, diced
-2 large carrots, diced
-1 tbl tomato paste
-1-2 tbl flour
-1 cup chicken broth (or beef broth, but I have trouble finding low sodium beef broth and find the regular stuff too salty)
-1 tsp dried thyme
-dash cayenne and/or hot sauce, salt & pepper to taste
-few dashes worcestershire sauce
-couple handfuls frozen petite peas

Prepare mashed potatoes to a spreadable consistency.

In a large skillet, brown beef. Add garlic and cook until beef is no longer pink. Remove beef to a bowl with slotted spoon and drain off fat from skillet.

Saute mushrooms in same pan until browned, remove to bowl with beef.

Saute onion & carrot in pan with a little olive oil until onion is transparent & carrots are slightly soft. Add beef & mushrooms back to pan.

Stir in tomato paste & flour until incorporated. Add chicken broth - more or less to make a gravy-like consistency. Add spices, salt & pepper & worcestershire to taste. Let simmer a few minutes and add peas.

Put beef mixture in a 9 x 13 baking pan and spread mashed potatoes over top. Draw a fork through potatoes to create a textured surface. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Run under the broiler for a couple minutes to brown the top. Let sit about 15 minutes before serving.