Recipe - Shepherds Pie

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I decided to make a Traditional Irish Meal.

Shepherds Pie! 

It was fantastic! 

Rated ★★★★★ by the family unit.

You Will Need -

- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 3 -4 large carrots, finely diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3 -4 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 glass red wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 large quantity mashed potatoes (estimating 1L or 6 cups, fresh or leftover)
- 1 egg, beaten
-  grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions
-Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
-Saute' carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender.
-Add in the onions and saute' for a minute or two then add the meat.

- Season with black pepper and thyme.
-Cook until browned then drain fat.
-Add the butter and peas.
-Sprinkle with flour and stir through.
- Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
- Let this cook down slightly then add the chicken stock.
- Allow to cook down until you have a thick meaty gravy.

-Season to your taste.

-Remove from heat.

- Grease an oven proof dish (9x13 glass works for me) with butter and add the sauce.

-Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. (place mashed potatoes in a ziplock, cut a corner at the bottom, to pipe little puffs).

-Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using.

- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top.

Serve as is.