pat's Recipe

Shepherds Pies

Category: Lamb

2 pound(s) freshly ground lamb
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoon(s) tomato paste
2 tablespoon(s) flour
1 tablespoon(s) Worcestershire sauce
Coarse salt and ground pepper
10 ounce(s) frozen peas, thawed
2 1/2 pound(s) russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup(s) milk
6 tablespoon(s) butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat a large skillet over high heat. In two batches, cook lamb until no longer pink, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to a colander set in a bowl; let fat drain off and discard.
Add 1/4 cup water to the skillet, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium; add onion and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Add flour; cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
Add Worcestershire sauce, 2 cups water, and lamb. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in peas; cook 1 minute. Divide among eight 8-ounce ramekins or two 9-inch glass pie dishes.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, cover potatoes with salted water by 1 inch; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
In pan, bring milk and butter to a simmer; remove from heat. Return potatoes; mash. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread over pies; use a fork to make peaks. Bake on a baking sheet until tops are browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly; serve.

Serves 8

This recipe for traditional lamb potpie makes eight individual servings (or two large pies instead). If you like, you can replace the lamb with ground beef. Cool pies completely before covering with plastic and freezing for up to three months. Reheat frozen pies (small or large) in a 375-degree oven for about an hour.