INGREDIENTS
This is what you need for 4+ servings:
- 1 lb. tender beef roast
- 1 lb. vegetables
here: garden beans, okra - 1-2 lbs. potatoes
- 3-4 cups tomato sauce
OR 3-4 lbs. tomatoes - olive oil
- S&P
- 2-3 cups shredded cheese (Chihuahua)
Pic1: shepherd's pie with beans, okra in tomato sauce Directions
2020-08-16
meat
Pic2-4: meat- Cut the meat into small pieces.
- Stir-fry until dark brown.
- Transfer to a large ovenproof bowl.
beans:
Pic5-7:
beans- Wash and cut the tips off of the beans. If not stringless, also peel away the string.
- Boil in lightly salted water for 5-10 minutes.
- Drain water, chop the beans coarsely.
okra
Pic8-10:
okra- Wash the okra and cut off the stem and tip.
- Slice in 1/2" pieces.
Discard pods that sound woody-crunchy when cutting them.
Those have become too hard and are not pleasant eating. - Soak in vinegar for 30 minutes. If you have time, drain water and repeat.
- Boil in lightly salted water for 5-10 minutes.
- Drain the water.
tomato sauce
Pic11-13: tomato sauce- Transfer beans and okra to the oven bowl.
- Prepare tomato sauce as usual.
Even when using canned crushed tomatoes, boil to reduce and thicken the sauce. (Pic12) - Pour sauce over the vegetables. It should reach all the way down, barely cover the vegetables.
Use a fork to remove air bubbles all the way down in the bowl. (Pic13)
mashed potatoes
Pic14-16: potatoes- Peel, wash and dice the potatoes.
- Boil in lightly salted water for 10-12 minutes or until very soft.
- Drain the water.
- Mash the potatoes. Optional stir in 1-2 cups milk.
- Mix in 2 eggs, nutmeg, (Pic15) and optional annatto / saffron spice for yellow color. (Pic16)
- The end result should be firm and fairly dry.
If too wet, dry over medium to low heat without browning the potatoes.
finishing up
Pic17-19: finishing up- Spoon the potatoes on top of the vegetables in tomato sauce. (Pic17)
If the potatoes are swimming, remove tomato sauce until barely covering the vegetables. - Smoothen the potatoes. (Pic18)
- Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded melting cheese on top.
Pic20-22: bake- Place the ovenproof bowl on a larger tray, in case it starts dripping while cooking.
- Bake for 20-35 minutes @ 350 ºF. Add up to 30 minutes if using raw ingredients.
The sauce should bubble vigorously and the top look golden-brown. - Serve a handful of cheese on each plate.
This gives extra gooiness after serving.
Adding to the cheese to the bowl and baking it will likely cause the cheese to break and separate.
serving
Pic23-25: served- Use a sharp knife to cut through the top all the way to the bottom .
- Serve with a slotted spoon or spatula.
- Enjoy.
b. the soup
Any stew can be a soup ...
By adding extra water to this shepherd's pie, you'll get a soup that's very different from what you started with. The mashed potatoes that were the main thing, no longer are. They seem to disappear, dissolved into the liquid, and the meat and veggies become the new accent of the soup.
2020-08-16
Pic26-28: soup- Scoop 1/4 of the shepherd pie into a saucepan. (Pic26)
- Add 1 quart of water. (Pic27)
- Reheated and adjust seasoning.
- Serve and enjoy a very different dish.