Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie vs. The Highland Games

Meat. Mashed potatoes. Cheese. What else could you want? (photo by Brian D. Sabin)

Tonight’s recipe:

Shepherd’s Pie

Source:

Brian’s Mom.

Difficulty: So easy, Brian can do it.

The Quote:

“These Scotsmen got nothin’ on my momma’s pie. NOTHIN’!” - Brian

The Process:

So last weekend the annual Celtic Classic and Highland Games rolled into Bethlehem for three days of caber-tossing, kilt-wearing, and other good clean Scottish-Irish fun.

During the festival, we stopped at one of the many food tents for a dinner of Irish Stew and Shepherd’s Pie. The pie, it was good, but Brian talked a lot of smack about how his family’s recipe was WAY better. It was time for him to put his mashed potatoes on the table and prove it.

The recipe

*1 Pillsbury pie crust or frozen pie shell

*1 lb. lean ground beef

*1 can, cream of mushroom soup

*1/2 cup milk

*1 Small sweet onion, chopped (optional)

*1 cup frozen peas

*Mild Cheddar or Colby Cheese

*4 servings Mashed Potatoes

(Choose your own adventure about how to make them: Potato buds, Bob Evans Microwaveable Mashed Potatoes, or – if you’re really ambitious – homemade.)

Step 1: Prepare and heat the pie-shell according to its directions.

Step 2: Brown the ground beef and chopped onion. Drain off any fat.

Step 3: Add the mushroom soup, then pour in the milk a little at a time until you get a good, saucy consistency. Add the peas and heat through.

Step 4: Pour the mixture into your cooked pie shell. Spread evenly. Cover with a good-sized layer of cheese. Then spoon mashed potatoes overtop the entire mixture.

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Step 5: Place this delicious calorie bomb into the oven and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Bonus points if your mashed potatoes have golden brown tips.

Step 6: Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Watch out: The recipe is deceptively simple, but does require some time management – especially if you’re going to make your own mashed potatoes. Even if you’re just mixing up some potato buds, it can be a little challenging to make the potatoes, heat the pie shell, and cook up the meat mixture all at once.

Accompaniment: This thing is filling. If you can eat anything else along with it, you, sir, are a machine.   

Deliciousness Rating: 8.5