Meat Pie

Prep time: 30 minutes

Yield: 6 portions

Cook time: 45 minutes
Can be frozen
INGREDIENTS

Filling

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 2 to 3 medium carrots
  • 1 to 1.5 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 gloves garlic
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup green peas

Potatoes

  • 3 to 4 medium yellow gold potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoon fine herbs: parsley or chives (just one kind)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt to taste
  • Ground black pepper to taste
TIPS and thoughts
  • I make those pies in individual servings instead of a large dish. It is more convenient to freeze and take out just the right amount for a meal.
STEPS
  • Melt butter into a frying pan over medium-high heat.
  • Dice onion and add to frying pan.
  • Dice carrots and add to onions. 
  • Add beef and cook until browned.
  • Mince garlic and add to frying pan mix. 
  • Add rest of ingredients: bay leaves, thyme, oregano, marjoram, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, beef broth and green peas.
  • Reduce heat to low and let simmer while you move on to making the mashed potatoes.
  • Peel potatoes and cut into cubes. 
  • Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water with salt to make water fairly salty (about 1 tablespoon).
  • Add lid and set over medium-high heat, and bring to boil. 
  • Cook until the potatoes are tender and easily broken with a fork, approximately 15 minutes.
  • Turn on oven to bake at 375° F.
  • Once the potatoes are tender, remove from heat and drain water.
  • Purée potatoes with a masher or potato ricer.
  • Add butter and cream to potatoes and blend well.
  • Mince herbs and add to potatoes.
  • Mix in egg yolk.
  • Grate Parmesan and stir in potatoes.
  • By then, your filling should have thickened a bit.
  • Take 6 ovenproof containers such as mini-cocotte or tin containers and divide filing into them.
  • Top with mashed potatoes.
  • Put shepherd’s pies in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.