Simple & Tasty Individual Shepherd's Pies

Shepherd's Pie is a simple comfort food.

Ingredients:

3 carrots, washed and chopped into bite-size pieces

1 pound lean ground beef, lamb, turkey or chicken 

1 tablespoon butter or olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced small

2 stalks of celery, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons tomato paste (or 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch mixed into 3 tablespoons of catsup)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

olive or avocado oil cooking spray

six 1 1/2 - 2 cup ramekins or oven safe bowls
1 envelope instant mashed potatoes** (or 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes)

smoked paprika (optional)
2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 400*. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.

Boil carrots in 2 cups water, just until tender, but not mushy. Drain and save water. Set carrots aside. Prepare instant mashed potatoes and set aside. (See below for instructions for homemade mashed potatoes.)

Brown meat in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain fat from meat. Set meat aside. Heat butter (or oil) over medium heat, in skillet. Add onion and celery and cook about 10 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cooked carrots and beef to skillet. Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and 1 cup of saved carrot water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. 

Lightly spray the ramekins with cooking oil spray. Divide the meat mixture evenly between the six ramekins. Top each portion with a 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes, spreading to the edges of the ramekins to completely cover. Bake about 20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish the tops of the pies with a sprinkle of paprika or a teaspoon of snipped chives. Serves 6 

**I only use natural instant mashed potatoes that do not contain chemicals. (They can be purchased at Costco.) I make the instant potatoes with half milk and half evaporated milk.

Alternate Cooking Methods:

Lightly spray a 10 inch deep dish pie pan with cooking spray. Transfer meat mixture to baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes over meat to edges of dish. If desired, sprinkle top with paprika. Place on cookie sheet, lined with foil. Put in oven and bake about 20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. 

If you would like to make a larger casserole, double the amount of filling and place in a 9x13 inch baking pan. Top with 8 cups of mashed potatoes. Bake for 20 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Alternate Mashed Potatoes Option:
Ingredients:
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
3 cloves garlic
5 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup evaporated milk or half & half
pepper

Method:
Peel and chop potatoes. Peel and chop 3 gloves of garlic. Bring potatoes and garlic to boil in a pot of lightly salted water. Reduce to a rapid simmer; cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Mash until mostly smooth; stir butter and milk. Season with fresh ground pepper. (Whip with electric mixer for a smoother consistency, if desired.)

Note: This simple dish is delicious comfort food whose presentation is elevated when served in individual ramekins.