Shepherd's Pie

I had some leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving and used them to make this. I came across a new recipe for mashed potatoes and here is the link to the blog where I found it . http://www.mylifeasamrs.com/2011/10/creamy-mashed-red-potatoes.html/img_2686 I normally just use butter, heavy cream, and salt & pepper but his new recipe called for sour cream. They were very good and I would use this recipe again. Check out the blog above, she has some really yummy looking recipes!

Creamy Mashed Red Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 pounds petite red potatoes
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
8 ounces light sour cream (may sub regular)
4 tablespoons skim milk (may sub whole milk)
1-2 teaspoons salt
black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Rinse potatoes and add them to the bottom of a large pot (Note: if some of much bigger than the others, cut them in half). Cover with cold water and salt the water with 2-3 teaspoons of salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil until fork tender (a fork should pierce them easily). Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes.

Drain potatoes and them place into a large bowl. Add butter and beat with a hand mixer until potatoes are nice and crumbled. Add milk and sour cream and continue to mix until smooth, adding salt and pepper to taste. Make sure you salt them well - there is nothing worse than bland potatoes!

Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

Mashed potatoes prepared with the recipe above
1 white onion, peeled and diced
2 tsp garlic minced
1 pound ground beef
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 gravy pack
1 cup water

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas

*sorry for the spaces, blogger was giving me problems!

Directions:

1. Heat a little oil in a pan and saute the onion and garlic for a few minutes
2. Add the carrot and the ground beef (broken up)
3. Cook for a couple minutes and season with salt and pepper
4. Once the beef has browned add the gravy package with the amount of water it recommends on the back of the package.
5. Mix very well and bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and cook until it is thickened
6. Add the frozen peas and corn
7. In a 9 x 9 casserole or glass dish put the beef mixture and top with mashed potatoes so there is a good thick layer. With a fork run it across horizontally and vertically on the top of the mashed potatoes.
8. Top with cheese and bake in a 425 degree oven for about 15 or 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!