Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

Olive Oil or Bacon fat 2 tsp

Black Pepper 1 ½ tsp

Ground Beef or Ground Lamb 1 lb

Onion, fine diced 2 medium

Carrots, frozen, diced 1 bag

Peas, frozen 1 bag

Thyme, chopped 1 bunch

Flour 2 tbsp

Guinness Beer 8 oz

Tomato Paste 2 tbsp

Worcestershire Sauce 2 tbsp

Stock 1 cup

Mashed Potatoes, prepared 6 cups

Cheese, Dubliner 1 cup

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°F

2. In large sauté pan, add oil and caramelize onions until brown( adding a pinch of salt at the beginning of the cooking process to help develop the flavor)

3. Once onions are brown add the ground meat (beef or lamb), and black pepper, thyme and brown meat until done. (approx 8-10 minutes)

4. Add tomato paste with meat mixture and allow to caramelize slightly.

5. Sprinkle flour over mixture and incorporate by stirring.

6. Add Worcestershire sauce and Guinness beer allow to reduce and thicken slightly.

7. Add stock, peas, carrots, and allow mixture to reduce down to a thick consistency.

8. Season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

9. Grease a 9X13 oven safe dish.

10. Add a thin layer of mashed potatoes along the bottom of the dish.

11. Add your meat mixture evenly on top of the potatoes.

12. Add an even layer of potatoes to the top of the meat mixture.

13. Top with grated cheese.

14. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are browned around the edges.

15. Serve immediately.

16. Can be held under refrigeration for up to 3 days after cooking.

Yield: 6-8 servings