The Dining Table Recipe #1 - Shepherd's Pie

Here is our first (of many) Tried and True recipes that will make your make your Dining Table Experiences a HIT! Every recipe that we put together and provide for you are what we, at thefamilyroom, like to call 'Tried and True'. Most are recipes that have come down through our family trees plus new ones that we know work. All recipes have been given thefamilyroom tick of approval.

Not only are we providing you with a meal idea but we will give you a grocery list and ideas that can accompany your meal really well. This is all done in an effort to make life that little bit easier for you - all you have to do is copy, paste and print. So, at the end (or in the midst) of a busy day, jump on thefamilyroom blog spot scroll down on the right hand side and look for our Recipes, Meal Ideas and Grocery Lists section. Simply click on whatever tickles your tastebuds at the moment and GO FOR IT! Why not share this spot with your friends and help make their days a little easier as well.....

Shepherd's Pie:
This comes from my mum (so you know it’s good!). It is a family favourite and it’s a great way to use up leftover lamb, roast beef or if you’re from my family venison. It can be doubled or tripled easily depending on how many you are cooking for.

One of the great things about this meal is that you will most likely have all the ingredients in your home. It’s a simple, low maintenance, high satisfaction meal idea.

Ingredients:
2 cups cold cooked lamb or beef (or you can buy and pre cook). You can also used mince beef in this recipe.
2 cups vegetables (chopped carrots and peas or use frozen veggies)
1 large onion chopped
1 clove of garlic chopped
½ - 1 cup left over gravy (below is a quick and easy recipe for gravy if you don’t have left over)
2 TBSP Tomato Paste
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 Potatoes, cooked and mashed. Make sure you have enough to put an inch cover on the top of the mixture.

Method
In a fry pan add 1TBSP of olive oil, sauté onions and garlic. Add gravy, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce vegetables, meat and salt and pepper (to taste).

Heat the oven to 400F (200C). Grease a 1 1/2 - 2 quart baking dish or casserole.

Place the mixture in the casserole dish and cover with the mashed potatoes, forming peaks and valleys, as you would do with a meringue.

Bake until bubbly and golden brown. It takes about 20-30 minutes.

Simple Gravy Recipe
In a jar with a lid put 1/2 cup of beef or chicken stock. Sprinkle 2TBSP. flour over the broth. Cover the jar and shake until the flour is blended into the stock. Pour it into a small saucepan and heat to boiling. Stir in more stock to make medium-thick gravy. Taste and add a ½ cup of beef consume until it reaches the flavour you desire.

Serve this meal with a simple crisp green salad!

Grocery List:
Beef or lamb pieces (if you don’t have left overs)
Carrots/Peas or frozen veggies
Potatoes
Tomato Paste
Lettuce for salad

Enjoy and remember to laugh lots and take mental photos of everyone around the table, these are the moments you will remember forever.

Susan xoxo