Saltbush Shepherds Pie

This saltbush shepherds pie is show stopping comfort food. Enjoy this dish in the last of the cold weather - simple ingredients put together to make a delicious weeknight dinner.

Serves 6

Effort: Moderate

Prep: 30mins

Cook: 20mins

Gluten free

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1kg beef mince

• 1 large onion, grated

• 1 large carrot, grated

• 2 cloves garlic, grated

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1½ tbsp tomato paste

• 3 tbsp saltbush & rosemary mix - Gilgooma

• 1 cup red wine

• 1 cup chicken stock - San Elk

• 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 1 leek, diced

• 2 egg yolks

• ¼ cup cream

• 60g butter, melted

• 100g parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the oil in a large pan until hot.

• Season the beef mince and fry in the oil over moderate to high heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir the onions and carrot into the mince then grate the garlic in as well.

• Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and saltbush mix and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

• Pour in the red wine and reduce until almost completely evaporated.

• Add the chicken stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce has thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in boiling water until tender.

• Drain potatoes and return to the hot pan over low heat to dry out briefly. Meanwhile in a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, cream and melted butter.

• Mash the potato then beat in the egg yolk mixture, followed by the leeks & about 2 tbsp grated Parmesan. Season.

• Spoon the beef mixture into the bottom of an ovenproof dish. Using a large spoon, layer the mashed potato generously on top of the beef, starting from the outside and working your way into the middle.

• Top with remaining parmesan. Fluff up the mashed potato with a fork to make rough peaks.

• Bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown.

Hints & tips

Beef - Beef mince is used in this recipe - lamb mince is a good alternative.

Serving suggestion - Shepherds pie in my view is best served with greens and crusty bread & butter.

Portion size - Half this recipe to make a smaller shepherds pie. It would also double well for large get togethers.

Storage - This dish will keep in the fridge for 3 days. It is also a great dish to freeze and pull out for a later date.