cfc Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 Being as winter is still clinging pretty tightly to Virginia, a little "sitck-to-the-ribs" type of cuisine is in order. After all, we need sustenance to survive, right? Who knows how long we'll be stuck here, snowed in, ice everywhere, unable to even make it out the door, much less to Carrabbas's, Pierce's Pitt, or even Five Guys? OH WHEN, WHEN, WILL THIS HORRID SEASON END? WILL WE EVER ESCAPE THIS ICY TOMB? GAWD, I TIRE OF THE FROZEN WASTES . . . Ok, so I'm exaggerating. We haven't had snow in a few weeks, and it's still a bit chilly. But there was over a pound of frozen hamburger in the freezer, and I felt like making shepherd's pie. (And, yes, I'm well aware that such a pie calls for lamb. But I didn't have lamb, ok? Stop hounding me!) Here's what you'll need to make your own shepherd's pie: 1 1/4 lbs. ground beef 2 tablespoons margarine, divided 2 cups each sliced carrots and mushrooms 1 cup diced onions 2 packets instant beef broth and seasoning mix 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups skim milk, divided 12 ounces peeled, cooked potatoes, cut into cubes 1/2 teaspoon paprika And away we go . . . So, all my rebellious little ingredients are assembled, eh? I know what that means! A plot to despose me! At least my casserole dish and nonstick cooking spray have remained loyal! Cook! Cook in your own juices, dead cow matter! Not so "frozen" now, are you! Some day, you may clog my arteries and bring on a fatal heart attack. But today is not that day. My, what a big pile of meat. Yes, McNasty! You shall have your share! Oh, I have not forgotten about you, foul vegetables! You shall all feel the sting of my blade as I chop and slice you to bits! Ah, flour and milk! Come do your master's bidding! Join with the flour, you treacherous broth mix! I will have use of you later! The potatoes boiled, while the veggies cooked in a tablespoon of margarine--let that be your epitaph! Feeling a little soft and damp are you? Well, how about some nice flour and broth mix to dry you off? What? Too dry? Very well. A nice cup of milk will solve that, you whiny pile of organic matter! Hah! Gravy! Nice, thick gravy for you to swin in! Didn't expect that, did you? What's that you say? You're daring me to bury you in a pile of dead animal matter? So be it! Nice and hot now, are we? Good! The nonstick spray will make sure that you are no trouble to my loyal casserole! Yoo hoo, Mr. Potato! I've not forgotten about you. How about boiling a bit in a nice half cup of milk and tablespoon of margarine? Igor! Your master calls! You know what to do. "Igor whip tater good for master! Igor love master!" Well done, my faithful servant. You may rest now. How about some paprika, spud boy? Welcome to the Chamber of Unendurable Heat Indefinitely Prolonged! (Actually, I think 15 minutes at 375 should do nicely.) Then a minute or two under the broiler! Excellent! But at what cost? Tis a small price to pay to maintain the social order. Thanks for reading.
XII Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 Those Vegetables had it coming to them. Awesome Photo TR of a food I love to devour.
ebl Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 ^ When I cook anything dish or utensil intensive, I clean as I go---makes the job a LOT easier. Nice report, Chuck. Eric
RCFreak Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 ^That's my method when I'm not feeling too lazy, otherwise I just use the dishwasher lol. Looks good, can't say I'd ever make it as I hate onions and mushrooms, but thanks for the TR!
disneyfan1313 Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 Looks yummy! I love to cook but have never made a Shepherds pie - what recipe did you use?
cfc Posted March 3, 2010 Author Posted March 3, 2010 ^It's a recipe from an old Weight Watchers cookbook, believe it or not. One serving is about 500 calories, but it contains two-and-a-half servings of vegetables (I eat a half serving with some more veggies on the side). I'll make a copy of the recipe and e-mail it to you if you want it, Reed. As for clean up, I had plenty of room in the dishwasher.
ebl Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 ^^^ The onions I don't mind, especially because they'll be cooked. But I agree about the mushrooms---they'd be mysteriously left out of my version. Eric
DarkStitch626 Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 Now THAT looks tasty. I think I will attempt to make this kind of thing for my parents this week.
cfc Posted March 3, 2010 Author Posted March 3, 2010 ^^^ The onions I don't mind, especially because they'll be cooked. But I agree about the mushrooms---they'd be mysteriously left out of my version. Eric I love mushrooms, myself. So what if they're fungi? They're very tasty fungi.
Sasquatch Posted March 5, 2010 Posted March 5, 2010 Seeing as I am sat here drooling, you have done a really fantastic job Chuck! However, everyone knows that only someone from the very bowels of Yorkshire knows how to make a REAL Shepherd's Pie FACT.
ebl Posted March 5, 2010 Posted March 5, 2010 "So what if they're fungi?" Well, some say that I'm a fun guy, so... Eric
Nrthwnd Posted March 6, 2010 Posted March 6, 2010 ^^^ Also, a kind of PUDDING I have heard... Nice casserole, Chuck. Looks tasty. "Here's a Shepherd's Pie peppered - with actual shepherd on top." < Sweeney/Missus Lovett shout out >
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