Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie is a good old English dish. I've had it too many times to count and you can customize it by adding or subtracting any veggies you'd like. Add peas, corn, or broccoli if you so desire. This dish can also be made with lamb, but there was no fresh ground lamb available to me- so I went with beef! You can also double up the potatoes if you like a nice, thick layer of potatoes on top.

My family always ate it with ketchup...so I added ketchup on top when I served it. This is up to you...it's also delicious just on it's own!

The trick is to keep sampling till you have the seasonings JUST right :)



Sauce:

1.5 cups Almond Milk
1.5 tablespoons Gluten-Free Flour Mix (use a blend...there are several recipes online)
2 Leeks- chopped into 1/2 cm strips
1/2 tsp dried Thyme
1/4 tsp dried Rosemary
1/4 salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup red wine

Filling:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 pkg ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 black pepper
1 pkg brown mushrooms, quartered (or more if you love mushrooms!)
1 large red bell pepper chopped
30 baby carrots cut in half
1 small cauliflower, broken into florets
1/2 cup Chicken Stock (look for gluten-free!!!)
1 pkg baby red potatoes (or more!)


FOR SAUCE:

Combine milk and flour in blender. Blend at high speed for 30 seconds.
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, add leeks, thyme, rosemary, salt, and 2 tbsp water.
Steam-saute until leeks are lightly browned.
Stir in the garlic powder, wine, and reduce liquid by half.
Gradually add milk mixture until sauce is smooth. Don't allow to boil!

FOR POTATOES:
Boil potatoes until soft.
Strain and return to pot.
Add 4 tbsp olive oil.
Mash, with skins.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

FOR FILLING:

Preheat oven to 375. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season beef with salt and pepper, and cook until browned.
Add the vegetables and stock.
Stir.
Cover and cook for 8 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a large casserole dish.
Spoon mashed potatoes evenly over the mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Remove, and let sit for 10 minutes.

Serve with any extra topping you'd like:

Ketchup!
Hot Sauce!
Melt some cheese or faux cheese on top!

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