Scratch Sheppards Pie

So Jake and I have been "trying" to be more money conscious. I'm still amazed that anyone under the age of 50 can put a 20% down payment on a house.. Stupid financial reality of needing to plan ahead set in and this would be us being grown ups and trying not to go out to dinner 173 times a week. So instead of going to Rocklands for the best BBQ in DC that happens to be in walking distance of us (and most likely where the majority of income has gone), I went to the kitchen without a plan and tried out my creative cooking skills. I had some ground beef, a package of mashed potatoes and a can of peas... In comes Sheppard Pie. I had never made it before but it's one of Jake's favorites.

Recipe:

1 package ground lean beef

1 package mashed potatoes

1 can peas

2 tbs butter

2 tbs flour

1 cup chicken stock

4 tbs light sour cream

4 tbs Worcestershire sauce

1/2 Italian cup bread crumbs

1 tbs minced garlic

1 tbs minced onion

olive oil

salt and pepper

Add beef, garlic, onion, salt and pepper to heated pan and cook until browned. In a separate pan, melt butter and whisk in flour until paste forms. Whisk in chicken stock and simmer until thin gravy forms. Stir in sour cream and pour over cooked beef. Mix in Worcestershire and peas while beef mixture is on low heat. Spread  mashed potatoes over beef mixture trying to cover in single layer. Sprinkle bread crumbs over mashed potatoes and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Place under broiler for about 4 minutes or until bread crumbs are slightly browned.

This recipe turned out pretty delicious and made for some kick butt left overs as well.

You can add also add green beans and carrots if you want a more traditional pie but we were going for the "what ever it takes not to spend money at the grocery store" theme that night.

This is what was left before I went back for thirds....

Jake loved this dinner, but I mean what guy complains about meat and potatoes?