Shepherds Pie

Ingredients

1 onion peeled and finely chopped

4 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2 pounds lean hamburger meat

1 teaspoon beef base, dissolved into ½ cup hot water

3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)

1 teaspoon tomato puree

3 carrots, peeled and diced

14 ounces chicken stock

Chopped fresh parsley for topping (optional)

7 ounces cream

 4 ounces butter

1 egg yolk

Salt and Black pepper to taste

For the topping

3 lbs white or gold potatoes, peeled & cut into chunks

 7 ounces cream or whole milk

4 ounces salted butter

1 egg yolk

1 Tablespoon salt (for boiling potatoes in)

Salt and Black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large skillet, saute chopped onion in the vegetable oil for about 10 minutes, or until soft but not brown.  Add the hamburger meat a little at a time and cook until browned.  Add the beef base/water, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, tomato puree, carrots, chicken stock and salt and black pepper to taste.  Cook on low heat for about 45 – 50 minutes. 

While meat mixture is cooking, peel and cut into chunks.  Place in large pot and cover potatoes with water.  Add salt.  Cook until fork tender.  Drain well, then return to pot and add cream, butter, egg yolk and season to taste with salt and black pepper.  Mash well, then check to see if more salt and pepper need to be added.

Add meat mixture to lightly buttered deep pie or baking dish.  Cover with mashed potatoes.  Place in 350 preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are nicely browned.  Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.