Time for the Sunday Yummy

I am all about comfort foods! I love anything that can all be thrown in a pot or dish together and cook into something amazing. When cooking for a large group, like the 911 center, it is great to have something you can put together the night before and throw it in the oven when you get to work in the morning. Our center is manned with 12-15 people on good days. If I was making this for a Sunday lunch I would triple the recipe.
Most of all ENJOY an amazing meal with your coworkers one day soon.

Traditional Shepherd's Pie

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, finely diced
3-4 large carrots, finely diced
1 1/2 cups frozen green peas
3 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 glass red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef stock
6 cups of mashed potatoes, Not instant potatoes
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 beaten egg

Preheat the oven to 400. Saute carrots in the olive oil until they begin to get tender, add the onions and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the ground beef, season with the black pepper and thyme. Cook until browned then drain the fat. Add the butter and peas to the mix, allow the butter to melt. Sprinkle with the flour and stir. When the mix begins to thicken add the tomato paste, red wine and Worcestershire sauce. Allow this to reduce slightly and then add the beef stock. Simmer until you have a thick meaty gravy. Remove from the heat. Butter your 9X13 baking dish and add the meat mixture. Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over the top then brush with 1 beaten egg. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for approx 20 min or until the potato is nice and browned.
Serve it up with some hot rolls or biscuits to mop up all that yummy gravy!!

Enjoy!!!