KMTR-NBC Channel 16
March 4th, 2004
Tim Joyce and Kelli Warner

Shepherd's Pie

Chef Becky Personal Chef & Catering Service - www.chefbecky.com - 345-7779

This morning Chef Becky, Kelli Warner, and Tim Joyce prepared the traditional Irish treat, Shepherd’s Pie. Shepherd’s Pie is a savory meat pie with a mashed potato crust. It is a very flexible recipe, and has many versions throughout the world. You can use beef, lamb, or you could even leave the meat out for a vegetarian entrée (substitute chopped Portobello mushrooms or a meat substitute product). The common theme to the many different versions is the mashed potato topping.

1 pound ground lamb or beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 cups quartered mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups very thick beef gravy (instant)
1/2 cup diced carrots, cooked
2/3 cup peas
3 cups mashed potatoes (see recipe below)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (optional)

Brown the ground lamb or beef with the diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the onions are nearly translucent. Add the quartered mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are softened, about 5 minutes. Drain fat. Add the cooked carrots and peas. Drizzle with the gravy, and stir well. Spread mixture into a glass pie dish. Spread mashed potatoes over the meat and vegetable mixture.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese in the last 5 minutes of baking, if desired.

Mashed Potatoes

4 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into small even chunks
8 ounces cream cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Pepper to taste

Rinse the peeled and cut potatoes before covering with water. Cover with water in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes are completely cooked through and very tender. While potatoes are boiling, place cream cheese in a large bowl. Microwave cream cheese for 1 1/2 minutes, or until very soft (this is to prevent lumps of cheese in the mashed potatoes). When potatoes are finished, drain using a colander. Pour the cooked potatoes into the bowl with the cream cheese. Using an electric mixer, whip the potatoes until light and fluffy. Stir in the remaining seasonings.