BEEF SHEPHERDS PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, garlic, half the salt, and oregano. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until mushrooms are soft and tomato paste has turned brick red, about 8 minutes more. Stir in the beef, the broth, the remaining salt, the Worcestershire, and some pepper, breaking up any large clumps of meat, cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the meat and vegetables to a 2-quart oval casserole dish and spread the mashed potatoes over the top, leaving a 1/4-inch boarder around the edge. Make a decorative pattern on the top of the potatoes, if desired. Sprinkle with cheese, if using, and dot with the remaining tablespoon of butter. Bake until potatoes brown and the juices bubble around the edge, about 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• Put the potatoes in a saucepan with cold water to cover by about 1-inch and add the salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, uncovered, until the potatoes are tender but not mushy, about 15 minutes. At the same time, combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan and warm over low heat until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Drain the potatoes and return to the saucepan. Toss the potatoes over medium heat until dry. Add the heated milk mixture and mash the potatoes until just slightly chunky, then stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water by 1 inch and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the leeks are soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer half of the leeks to a large bowl and set aside.
• Add the beef and lamb to the skillet with the remaining leeks. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Pour off any excess fat from the skillet; season the meat with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Stir the carrots, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and thyme into the meat. Clear a space in the middle of the skillet and add the tomato paste. Cook the tomato paste, stirring, until slightly darkened, about 1 minute, then stir into the meat mixture. Pour in the stout and simmer until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.
• Cook, stirring, until the carrots are almost tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the peas; reduce the heat to low and let simmer while you mash the potatoes.
• Drain the potatoes and let cool slightly. Transfer to the bowl with the reserved leeks; add the butter, half-and-half and 1/2 teaspoon salt and mash well. Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar.
• Spread the meat mixture in a 3-quart baking dish. Dollop the mashed potatoes on top, then spread with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar. Bake until bubbling around the edges and the topping is browned in spots, about 25 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
• You can assemble any of these dishes up to 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then add about 10 minutes to the baking time.