Basic cooking - Shepherd's Pie

I am a huge fan of basic, simple, tasty foods. i don't like using bizarre ingredients or unreasonably complicated techniques. if you said "down home cooking" that's essentially what i strive for.

As a friend recently said: If your great grandmother wouldn't recognize it as food, don't eat it!

This shepherd's pie recipe is an adaptation of the one my mom makes.

Shepherd's Pie

1lb hamburger

2 eggs

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder (or 1/4 C finely diced onion)

1/4 C old fashioned rolled oats (i coarsely chop them using my coffee grinder)

salt and pepper to taste

heat oven to 350F 

mix all above ingredients thoroughly. Grease pie pan (i use a glass pan, and spray it with cooking spray) Press meat mixture into pan evenly.

spread on:

2-3 Tbs catsup or tomato paste (or other sauce of you want to change it up a little!)

Cook in oven for 45-50 mins or until cooked through (will be firm and juices will be clear, not pink) Drain off any oil (if using regular ground beef)

while meat is cooking, prepare potatoes:

4-7 medium potatoes

2tbs diced green onion

2 tbs butter

Peel and coarsely chop potatoes. place in pot. cover with water, bring to boil. cook until potatoes are soft when poked with a fork. drain. (yes, i know this is basic, but i said i'd try to keep this blog beginner friendly!)

mash potatoes with masher, or if lacking one, use a fork. blend in onion bits and butter.

when meat is cooked, spread mashed potato blend on top, sealing it to the pie plate at the edges. sprinkle with paprika if desired.

Return pie to oven for 15 mins OR until potatoes are heated through and begin to brown on top/edges.

 

I suggest serving this with ample steamed veggies, and perhaps this gravy (the one that's part of this recipe)  I recently found it when i was trying the attached recipe, and hubby LOVES it. plus, it's pretty easy, AND naturally low fat! (as a note, i thicken the gravy with a couple of teaspoons corn starch)

this is a wonderful fall/winter/spring dish for when you've been outside burning lots of energy!