IRISH GUINNESS SHEPHERD'S PIE w/ GUINNESS GRAVY

This is an Irish Shepherd's Pie recipe courtesy of an online friend who is Irish and does much ethnic cooking...Irish American Mom (facebook)

As usual, I add or change things here and there, to experiment and also add my own "taste-mark" (like a trademark, only food haha)

So Shepherd's Pie was a dish that originated in England but was adopted into Ireland very early on. The addition of Guinness again gives a distinct Irish taste.

Ingredients

3 T. Canola oil

2 lb. lean ground beef

1/4 tsp. sea salt and pepper

1 large onion chopped

2 tsp. minced garlic

3 T. tomato paste

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 c. beef broth

4 T. Worchestershire sauce

1 1/2 c. Guinness draught

1 T. bittersweet chocolate chips

1 T. light brown sugar

1 tsp. Thyme

1/2 tsp. sage

1 tsp. parsley flakes

1/2 tsp. marjoram

12 oz. frozen mixed vegetables

3 lb. potatoes peeled, cubed

1/2 stick butter

1/2 c. sour cream

2 c. grated cheddar cheese

First peel and cube your potatoes, set them to boiling in a pot, and add some sea salt to the water. You don't HAVE to use sea salt, but the taste is better for cooking some things.

Next, put a tablespoon of oil in a skillet and brown your lean ground beef. Season with some salt and pepper. When done, drain thoroughly and set aside.

Next, put the remainder of the oil into the skillet, and brown your onion and garlic.

Return the beef to the skillet and mix together with the onions and garlic. Then add your tomato paste, dijon mustard,Guinness Draught, Worchestershire sauce, and beef broth.Stir in well.

Add thyme,parsley, sage and marjoram, mixing in well. I use fresh herbs when possible and if available in the store in Winter or from my garden in summer. Keep in mind fresh herbs are more pungent and you may need less.

Now add the brown sugar and chocolate chips. These off set some bitterness of the Guinness and add a richness that is unmistakable. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes until mixture is thick and glossy.

While the meat mixture simmers, mash your potatoes with the butter. Blend in the sour cream.

You are now ready to layer your Shepherd's Pie. In a greased casserole, first place the meat mixture, spreading evenly.

Next spread on your frozen mixed veggies.

Finally, spread your mashed potatoes evenly over the top.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Take it out and spread your grated cheddar over the top.

Place back into the oven for another 20-30 minutes. It is done when the top begins to turn golden and it is visibly bubbling.

A delicious Irish gravy, Guinness Gravy, can be drizzled over top if you like. To make this gravy simply place 1 1/2 c. water and 1/2 c. Guinness into a saucepan. Whisk in 2 packets of brown gravy mix, 1 tsp.tomato paste, 1 T. Worchestershire sauce, and 1 tsp. brown sugar. Stir while heating until gravy consistency.

Enjoy Enjoy!!!!

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