Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Cowboy Shepherd's Pie with Summer Vegetables and Cheddar Potatoes

I love getting comments and feedback from my readers. It makes the daily hours of blogging worth while. So pipe up!
If you've got a recipe that's giving you trouble, or you need ideas about menu planning for parties, or info on how to utilize a certain ingredient, leave me a comment or shoot me an email at vsmylroie@aol.com. I am Prudence Pennywise, your humble servant. I've had a reader request for updated recipes ideas using ground beef. Ground beef can be an economical (shop sales!) and with today's lean cuts, a healthful way of feeding a family. And it goes way beyond hamburgers. (But I love those, too.) I've toyed around with the classic, ever-popular Shepherd's Pie to include some summery vegetables and flavors, like corn, zucchini, and barbecue sauce. It's tough to resist the mashed potato and melted cheddar topping. This is a great make ahead Sunday late lunch, or a fun weeknight dinner; it's a stick to your ribs, homey and comfortable, man pleasin' kind of casserole. I baked mine in individual portions, just for fun, and also to have a few easy lunches to pop into the freezer.
Money Saving Tips: Always stock up on lean ground beef on sale, to be sure you're getting a good deal. You can use leftover corn from the cob here, or frozen or canned kernels. The zucchini here is optional, so if you can grab some from your garden, toss it in.

Cowboy Shepherd's Pie with Summer Vegetables and Cheddar Potatoes
Estimated Cost: $7.50 for 6 hearty servings
Notes: For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with two (15 ounce) cans of drained black beans.
1 and 1/2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1 lb. lean ground beef (or turkey)
1 medium zucchini, chopped (optional)
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup smoky barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 and 1/2 cups corn, fresh or frozen, thawed
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
chopped cilantro or scallions, for garnish

Place potatoes in a large pot of coled water over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer. Cook potatoes for about 13 minutes, or until tender. Drain potatoes and mash with milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Set aside briefly. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease an 8 by 8 inch casserole. In a large saucepan, cook meat with zucchini, onions and garlic, breaking up with back of spoon, until meat is just cooked. Drain if necessary. Stir in barbecue sauce, mustard and brown sugar. Transfer to prepared casserole dish. Scatter corn evenly on top. Spread potatoes carefully over corn and sprinkle with cheese. (You can refrigerate this for up to 24 hours and bake it later, if desired.) Bake at 400 degrees, just until filling is bubbly and cheddar is nicely melted, about 25 minutes.

Coming Tomorrow:
August Corn Chowder and Soft Honey Wheat Rolls

34 comments:

Jenny said...

This looks fantastic Prudy! Just thinking about Sheperd's Pie makes me hungry. What a perfect comfort food! Great recipe.

Mary Ann said...

Nice take on this classic! I love how you put summery veggies in this. We had your Asian Chicken Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing last night! My goodness- it was so delicious! It literally disappeared. Your rhubarb coffee cake is in the oven for breakfast! It smells divine! Does it bother you that I reposted your ice cream recipes or is it okay with you? Just wondering. Prudy- you are the best!

Prudy said...

Mary Ann:
I love that you posted my recipes! I honestly love to share them. If someone likes them that's the best payback there is in the world.

Maria said...

Shepard's pie is a classic comfort food. Your take on it looks like a winner!

Anonymous said...

i'm always looking for way to use ground meat - i'm a ground turkey girl myself. and this looks like a great way to give my meat & potatoes hubby some more meat & potatoes! :-P

Sharon said...

I have loved reading your blog for quite a while through TWD....I just found you are also on the LDS blog roll....really cool. It's amazing who you find out is LDS.

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Prudy that is a delicious meal! I love the individual ones! Anything with melted cheese and I'm a happy girl!

Ali said...

Thanks Prudy! I am excited to try out your version! Thanks for helping me find some different ground beef recipes!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I love the combo of beef and zucchini! This looks fabulous.

Honeyed Hashette said...

MMMmmmm! I love shepherd's pie!

Honeyed Hashette said...

MMMmmmm! I love shepherd's pie!

Sara said...

THis looks so good. My husband is pretty determined that he hates shepherd's pie, probably because he ate it a lot as a kid, so I have never made it, but I am going to fool him with yours. It looks delicious. I am one of those who needs some more creative recipes for hamburger. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I thinks my kids would love this. And I love that you included a vegetarian variation.

Hey we're coming down your way tommorow. We're excited to see you guys!

The Blonde Duck said...

There it is! My Saturday night dinner. I love this! I usually make it with sirlion and I think Ben will like this much more! (Give the boy cheese and potatoes and he's in hog heaven! Wonderful! I always need help, so I'll be e-mailing you!

Dr. Mom said...

Wow, that is making me hungry! My husband would love this! Thanks!

gigi said...

This looks like a good tropical storm Fay, recipe!! Good comfort food. Hopefully we will just get lots of rain, which we really need!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... this is funny. Not too many people make Shephard's Pie these days. Which is why I think this is very, very funny. When The Husband comes home from deployement... Shephard's Pie is his first request. It doesn't matter if he lands at 5:15 in the morning, he wants Shephard's Pie when he gets settled at home. Yours looks great... I'll have to try it sometime soon (since he's home and I can jack with his food)
~Cat

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Love it - the addition of the veg is great for the kiddies. In the UK we call this Cottage Pie because it has beef mince. We would use lamb mince for a Shepherds Pie. I think its great finding out all these little quirky differences in the way we do things

Muffin Men Inc. said...

This looks good! Putting zucchini in it was a very smart idea!

La Bella Cooks said...

I love those little one dish meals and this looks like a hearty one. Delicious flavors and even tempting to the eye!

Poonam said...

You have some fantastic recipes here.

Amy said...

Prudy, this looks great!! I've always enjoyed shepard's pie, reminds me of home! Love the idea to make them in individual servings!

Anonymous said...

Shepherd's Pie is such a comfort food and always reminds me of my childhood. Throwing in some summer vegetables makes it acceptable to eat now; I normally save it for the winter months. Thanks for the idea! :)

Eleganza Strings/ The DeLadurantey Family said...

I am totally not a shepherds pie girl, but this one looks pretty interesting! In a good way:-)

Emily said...

Prudy your Shepherd's Pie looks sooooo good! I always love to see what's cooking in your kitchen!

Sharon said...

I've recently started making casseroles in ramekins and I love the mini-portions. Shepherd's pie has always been one of my favorites and I like how you've incorporated summer veggies!

Marie Rayner said...

What a great version of a delicious classic! I love your take on things. You are a real gem in my books. I am so glad I discovered you and came back for more!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

My girls love Shepherd's Pie! I will have to try this and surprise them. Great comfort food for the chilly weather I am looking forward to ;-)

Anonymous said...

Made this recipe last night and the family really enjoyed it! Thank you. I have really been enjoying your blog and look forward to making more of your recipes. Nikki

Natalie Que said...

This looks great! I am such a sucker for anything all cute and individual. I hadn't thought of with Shepherd's Pie as a candidate! Good on 'ya!

Prudy said...

Thank you so much for the positive feedback, Nicki. I really do appreciate it.

Sophie said...

I love this stuff! All those healthy, savory ingredients in one bowl! That's hard to beat, plus it's great for cold days too :).

Pamela said...

I've never made Sheperd's Pie, but this looks delicious!

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