Cottage (Shepherd's) Pie - Grain, Gluten, and Dairy-free
Shepherd's pie is classically made with lamb, but this version is pork and beef, with lots and lots of vegetables. Amazing flavor and texture from the root vegetables. I list what I used, but you can use similar amounts of just about any root vegetable you have.
Course Dinner
Cuisine English, Irish
Prep Time 5 hourshours
Servings 6servings
Ingredients
For the filling
1lbground pork sausage
1lbground beef
1cupsweet onion diced
1/2cupcelery diced
1/2cupcarrot diced
1/2cuprutabaga diced
1/2cupcauliflower diced
1/2cupfennel bulb diced
1cupsweet potato diced
2mediumtomatoes diced
1tbspdried oregano
2tbsptomato paste
1tbspWorcestershire sauce
2tbsphoney
1pintbeef stock
salt and pepper to taste
2tbspfresh parsley chopped
1/2tspnutmeg fresh ground if you can
1tbspsmoked sweet paprika
1/2cupmashed potato flakes (just the flakes that don't include any other ingredients)
For the dairy-free mashed potatoes
2largerusset potatoes peeled, large diced
3mediumYukon gold potatoes peeled, large diced
3mediumred potatoes diced, unpeeled
1/3cupvegan butter
1/2cupVegenaise
1tbspgarlic powder
salted cooking water to desired consistency
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the filling:
In a large castiron pot or pan (something with higher sides), brown the pork sausage and ground beef. Using a spoon or paper towel, remove some of the fat so you are only left with a couple tablespoons. Add all the vegetables and the oregano, and sauté gently. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the remaining ingredients (minus the potato flakes and parsley), bring to a simmer, cover and reduce the temperature. Let cook, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, for about 20 minutes. Add the mashed potato flakes and stir, cook for another 3-5 minutes. By this time it should not be runny. If it is, continue simmering. Once most of the liquid has cooked out, turn of the heat, stir in the parsley, and cover until ready to bake.
For the potatoes:
Preheat your oven to 375 °F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and season with a good amount of salt - 2-3 tbsp, depending on how much water is in the pot. Add the potatoes and cook at a gentle boil for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving some of the water.
In a bowl, add the butter, and put the hot potatoes in as well. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes and butter together. Add the Vegenaise, some salt and pepper and the garlic powder and mash together again. Begin adding some of the cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time, mashing together completely each time, until your desired consistency is reached. Should not be runny, but creamy and a little stiff.
To finish:
Remove the lid from the vegetables and meat, stir one last time, then top with the mashed potatoes so the entire top is covered. Bake at 375 °F for 20-30 minutes, until the top begins to brown.