Image for Budget Cooking: Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd's Pie
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  • CourseMain Dish
  • CuisineBudget-friendly, Gluten-free
Servings
4 people
Servings
4 people
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup bulk green lentils
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 package Thousand Hills 100% grass-fed Ground Beef or Ferndale ground turkey
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 Tbsp. bulk thyme
  • 3 tsp. bulk granulated garlic, divided
  • 1/2 bag frozen peas & carrots
  • 2 Tbsp. bulk raisins, chopped finely
  • 1/2 can tomato paste
  • 3 medium russet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. bulk parsley
  • 1 whole egg yolk
  • 1 pinch salt & pepper, to taste
Servings: people
Units:
Instructions
  1. Start 3 cups of water and 1/2 cup lentils to boil over high heat (reduce to a simmer once boiling).
  2. Dice onion, finely chop the raisins, and set both aside.
  3. Cut potatoes in quarters and slice into 1” pieces. Place in a pot, cover with 2” water, sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt, and bring to a boil.
  4. Over medium heat in a large frying pan (with no oil), add the ground beef or turkey and save the rest for another recipe (pasta, tacos, grain bowls, etc). When the meat begins to brown slightly, add the chopped raisins and onions with a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and break up the beef into smaller pieces using your spatula.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. The meat and onions should release enough water and oil to prevent sticking, but add a tablespoon or two of potato water if they do stick.
  6. When potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, save 1 cup of water from the pot in a jar or measuring cup and drain the potatoes. Add the potatoes and cream cheese back to the pot and stir to melt and mash together. Add egg yolk, 1 tsp. granulated garlic and 1 Tbsp. parsley. Salt to taste and reserve for later.
  7. Add remaining granulated garlic, thyme, tomato paste and 1/2 cup of potato water to beef mixture. Stir to remove any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  8. When lentils are mostly soft (about 20-25 minutes), add them and their water to the beef mixture along with half the bag of frozen vegetables. Cover and reduce heat to low and cook for another 5 minutes or until lentils are soft throughout. Salt to taste. If the liquid dries out, add remaining potato water in 1/4 cup portions until entire mixture is covered in a thick sauce. Meanwhile, turn on your oven’s broiler to 425 or 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  9. Spoon the meat filling into a pie pan or several small pans. Top evenly with mashed potatoes.
  10. Place your pie(s) under the broiler until golden brown (5-8 minutes).
Recipe Notes

Recipe presented by East Side Table

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