My famous homemade shepherds pie
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 to 2 pounds potatoes (about 3 large potatoes), peeled and quartered
8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 to 2 cups diced carrots, corn, peas, vegetables
1 1/2 lb. round ground beef
1/2 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt, pepper, other seasonings of your choice
METHODHIDE
1 Boil the potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a medium saucepan. Cover with at least one inch of cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, simmer and cook until tender (about 20 minutes).
2 Sauté vegetables: While potatoes are cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until tender (about 6 to 10 minutes).
If you include vegetables, add them according to their cooking time. Carrots should be cooked with the onions as they take as long to cook as the onions.
If you add peas or corn, add them near the end of the onions or after the meat starts cooking, as they take very little time to cook.
3 Add the ground beef, then the Worcestershire sauce and broth: Add the ground beef to the pan with the onions and vegetables. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.
Add Worcestershire sauce and beef stock. Simmer the broth and reduce the heat to low. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, adding beef stock if necessary to prevent the meat from drying out.
4 Mash the cooked potatoes: When the potatoes are done cooking (a fork can easily pierce them), remove them from the pot and place them in a bowl with the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Mash them with a fork or potato masher and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5 Place the meat mixture and mashed potatoes in a casserole dish in layers: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large baking dish (8×13), spread the meat, onions and vegetables (if using) in an even layer.
Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the ground beef. Smooth the surface of the mashed potatoes with a fork so that the peaks are golden brown. You can even use a fork to make creative patterns in the mashed potatoes.
6 Bake: Place in the oven at 400°F and bake until the mashed potatoes are golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes. If necessary, broil for the last few minutes to help brown the surface of the mashed potatoes.