Shepherd's Pie

I absolutely LOVE Shepherd's Pie. I always wondered why my mom never made it when we were growing up, but she did! We just called it something different! I think we just called it something super original like casserole or even hamburger casserole! I found a really easy way of making it too... by using a spice mix! Club house actually has a delicious mix of pre-blended spices called, you guessed it, Shepherd's Pie. I have made it from scratch as well, which I prefer, but using a spice mix is so quick and easy with no thinking involved that I definitely had to mention it. I've been looking through cookbooks trying to find the perfect recipe but ended up combining about 5 or so different recipes to make my own:

Shepherd's Pie

1-1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

large chopped onion

a couple garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup flour

1/3 cup water

2 cups beef broth

1/2 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp rosemary

2 TBSP ketchup

2 tsps Worcestershire sauce

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups frozen or canned veggies such as peas, carrots, corn, etc.

4 cups leftover mashed potatoes.

1 cup grated cheese

Brown beef and onion. (I strain and rinse with hot water after it's fully cooked, then return to the pan). Add garlic. Mix flour with water, then stir in to the beef, then add the rest of the ingredients except potatoes and cheese. Simmer for about 15-20 min until everything is nice and thick. Remove the bay leaf and pour into a 9x13, top with mashed potatoes, sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 30 min in 400 degree oven. I turn it on broil for an extra 3 or so minutes until everything is nice and browned on top. *Watch closely as burns quickly!!*

Tomato Pie

Okay, I had never heard of tomato pie before last night, but I love everything tomato so I thought I'd give it a try. Besides the fact that I love tomatoes, it has ooey gooey cheese on top, and really who could turn that down! Holly was also pro on the tomato pie, albeit a little unsure of the mayo used in the cheese mixture on top, but it ended up turning out great! We use bought pie shells, quickly tossed them in the oven for 10 minutes to cook first, then piled fried onions, fresh garden tomatoes with the juice/seeds removed, sprinkled fresh chopped basil from Holly's garden on top of that and finished with a mayo and cheese mixture that had a shot of tobasco mixed in and voila! Delicious ooey gooey cheesey goodness! The link to the recipe from the SimplyRecipes website : Tomato Pie

This pic is right before the cheese/mayo mixture was dished on top.

You have to let it sit for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven, as it won't stay together the greatest when you serve it piping hot, but it still tastes good either way!

We used smoked gouda and a kraft four cheese blend, plus a bit of feta, so it was smoky, tangy, and delicious! I will definitely make this again!