Shepherds Pie

Hello Everyone, and Welcome

There is something so wholesome and delicious about: a nice homemade, savory, filling, casserole like Shepherds pie. It meats your daily intake of vegetables, carbs, proteins, and essential nutrients. Its perfect for picky eaters, family members coming in town, kids, a family or 4 or more.

Here is what you'll need

Ingredients list: 

1 tablespoon of kosher salt

2 teaspoons of chili powder

1 teaspoon of garlic salt

1 tablespoon of  red pepper flakes or ground black pepper.

2 tablespoons of butter

1/4 cup of organic chicken broth

1/2 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Kraft or A store brand)

1 pound of ground chuck/beef

1 can of whole kernel corn

1/2 cup of broccoli florets

1 package of the McCormick Brown Gravy Mix

The broccoli florets should be washed, de-stemmed, and cut julienne style.

1 6.6 oz of (2 pouches) Idaho Spuds Mashed Potatoes instant*

1 cup of milk (1% or 2% work best)

12 x 16 glass baking dish

1 tablespoon of cream cheese *secret ingredient

2 tablespoons of Parsley Flakes for *garnish

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees, estimated prep time is 20 minutes.

Step 1: 
The key in making Shepherds Pie is organization. It is pivotal! Gather your ingredients and have them readily available.

In a frying pan, open the 1 pound of ground chuck and use your fork to separate the ground chuck (which will make easier for frying),  add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, and 1 tablespoon of  red pepper flakes or ground black pepper. Allow the herbs and seasonings to marinate while you cook, it gives your meat a better flavoring. Cook until brown between 10-13 minutes.

 Step 2:
Once the ground chuck is thoroughly cooked, use your 12 x 16 glass baking dish (adjust to size) and empty the contents of the ground chuck from the frying pan into the baking dish, spread the ground chuck evenly across the baking dish.
 Add  one can of whole kernel corn on top pf the ground chuck, spread evenly.
Also, add the broccoli florets on top of the whole kernels. (Layers & Consistency come in handy!)

*Remember Shepherds Pie is all about layering and consistency, make it fun for you and your family.

Step 3:  
Follow the directions on the McCormick Gravy Mix.  Once the brown gravy thickens, pour the gravy on top of the ground chuck, corn,  and  broccoli etc.

Step 4: 

Next, for the instant mashed potatoes, you want them to be of a rich and creamy texture, we can do this by adding the following ingredients to the Idaho mashed potatoes. 2 cups of boiling hot water, add: 2 , tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup of organic chicken broth, 1 cup of milk (1% or 2% work best), and the perfect secret ingredient : 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Cream cheese adds: flavor, rich creaminess, and texture. Whisk together, and allow 2-5 minutes to cool via stove-top.

 Step 5: 
Once the mashed potatoes have cooled, Add the mashed potatoes directly on top, use a spoon to spread the mashed potatoes evenly. You can garnish your mashed potatoes with Parsley flakes atop or any herbs or spice that best suites your tastes (ex. fennel, basil, oregano, chili...)

Step 6: Finally, the final ingredient : 1/2 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded (Kraft or A store brand). Sprinkle shredded cheeses atop the mashed potatoes  and voila!

Allow the Shepherds Pie to bake for 30-45 minutes and serve.

See there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Peace and Love, Airielle