Today is March 14, or as all the cool people know it as...Pi Day! (3.14)
 |
| This is sideways because my computer and my phone don't always agree on how to behave. But it still looks delicious! |
Last year I made a [Chicken Pot] Pi[e] to celebrate, and this year, because I'm definitely feeling the St. Patrick's Day vibe...it's [Shepherds] Pi[e] time!
Shepherds Pie is great because you can throw anything into it you have in your fridge. Thanksgiving leftovers? Shepherds Pie! Chicken that you need to cook before it goes bad (that NEVER happens to me...)? Shepherds Pie! It's basically the best.
My mom always made it with cheese, but I'm making it without, because a) fake cheese isn't my favorite, and b) my mashed potatoes recipe is so amazing, that you don't need cheese. Why? Because it calls for an ENTIRE stick of [fake] butter. These mashed potatoes could probably solve world peace. I could be half dead with the flu and I will make myself mashed potatoes. And all is well. My mashed potatoes recipe comes straight from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. If you don't own this book already, go out and buy it right now. I owned it before I got diagnosed with the long list, and I still use it for a lot of different recipes. Also, how great is the show America's Test Kitchen? Greatest cooking show ever.
 |
| Buy Me |
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Whatever you do, do it wearing something green. Pinching hurts. The more you know.
Mashed Potatoes (from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook)
Ingredients:
2 lbs russet or yukon potatoes, peeled, quartered, and cut into 1-inch pieces*
8 T (1 stick) lactose free butter, melted**
1 cup coconut milk beverage, hot
salt and pepper
*I peel my potatoes into a plastic grocery bag so that clean up is a breeze. Never throw your peels down the garbage disposal.
**This is what makes these potatoes magical. You can use less butter...but why?
Directions:
1. Cover the potatoes by 1 inch of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender and a fork can be slipped easily into the center, 25-30 minutes.
2. Drain the potatoes in a colander, tossing to remove any excess water. Wipe the saucepan dry. Add the potatoes back to the pot and mash to a uniform consistency. I normally use my potato masher, unless I'm sick, and then I use a handheld blender because it makes it super smooth.
3. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the melted butter until just incorporated. Fold in 3/4 cup of hot milk, adding the remaining as needed to adjust the consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Shepherd's Pie (adapted from The Wholey Trinity)
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef (I use 93%)
1/2 bag of frozen green beans
1/2 bag of frozen carrots
1/2-1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 T cornstarch
1 c coconut milk beverage
salt and pepper
1 batch prepared mashed potatoes
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Brown meat in a pan. Once almost cooked, add vegetables and mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add cornstarch 1/2 T at a time and mix in completely to meat mixture. Once cornstarch has fully dissolved, add coconut milk and simmer for another 5 minutes.
4. Place meat mixture in pie pan and top with mashed potatoes. Put in preheated oven and cook at 400 degrees for 25 minutes until mashed potato top is browned. Let cool a few minutes and enjoy!
The meat mixture ends up tasting like a delicious meat gravy with vegetables. You can add your own mix of frozen vegetables, or throw in some cranberry if you're using Thanksgiving leftovers. Go wild!
 |
| Slice up as many mushrooms as you want. I went a little crazy, so ended up storing some for a later recipe |
 |
| This smelled so good while cooking, I kept sneaking bites. |
 |
| Before the mashed potato layer is added |
 |
| After the mashed potatoes are added, but before baked. If you can have cheese, or you like fake cheese, sprinkle some on the mixture before adding mashed potatoes |
No comments:
Post a Comment