Shepherds Pie, photo courtesy of Make Your Own Damned Cookies Blog

Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage pie is a savory pie made of meat with a mashed potato crust.  According to Wikipedia: The term cottage pie is known to have been in use in 1791,when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor (cf. “cottage” meaning a modest dwelling for rural workers). ..The term “shepherd’s pie” did not appear until 1877.

This recipe comes to us from Cindy Haenel, a chef instructor at Central Market who offers the very popular knife skills class, among others.

Pie Dough

Your favorite pie dough recipe for two single crusts

Mashed potato layer

• 4 large russet potatoes- about 5 lbs.
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup half & half

For meat filling:

• 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef or ground lamb
• 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion- chopped
• 1 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 1-cup fresh zucchini- chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
• 1/3 lb. Fresh green beans- blanched
• 1 & 1/2 cups milk- divided
• 2 Tbs. cornstarch
• 1 Tbs. Tony Chachere’s seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place the peeled, chopped potatoes into a pot of cold, salted water and cook until tender. Drain the potatoes and put them back into the pot. Then add the half & half and whip. Next, add the salt and butter and blend well. They should be very fluffy.
2. Brown the beef in a skillet, using the vegetable oil if needed. Really crispy brown meat, not just slightly cooked and gray. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Next, add the garlic, zucchini, peas & carrots, green beans and seasoning. Let this simmer on medium low heat until the zucchini are slightly softened, about 15 minutes. Add 1 cup of milk to the skillet. Take the cornstarch and add to the other ½ cup of milk, then add that to the skillet.
3. Place one recipe of pie dough into an 8” round pie pan, then add a layer of beef filling and last, top it with a generous helping of mashed potatoes.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes or until the edges of the crust are browned.

Makes 2 pies with 8 servings each