Shepherd's Pie

I love shepherd's pie and used to have it when we eat out at the cafe. Being such a fan of it, I've decided to try my hands at making one for the family.  Surprisingly, it's not that difficult at all. It certainly made my day when my girl had her first mouthful and exclaimed, "That is sooo good!". Now which mom wouldn't like to hear that?!

Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients

500g lamb mince
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, chopped into small cubes
2 Tbsp plain flour
1 1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 dried bay leaf
1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1/3 cup frozen peas
pinch of salt
ground black pepper
4 potatoes, peeled
40g butter
1/2 cup milk

Method

1) To prepare the filling, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the onion and fry till brown and fragrant.

2) Add the carrots and cook until soft.

3) Add the lamb mince. Stir and break up any lumps of meat and cook until the lamb changes colour.

4) Stir in the flour and mix till combined. Add in the stock, bay leaf, Worchestershire sauce and tomato paste. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Continue to simmer until the sauce thickens, about 25 mins, stirring occasionally.

5) Add in the peas and stir to mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat.

6) To make the potato mash, cook the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water until tender, about 15 mins. Drain well and return to the pan. Add in the butter and mash until smooth with a potato masher. Add milk and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7) Preheat oven to 200C. Scoop the lamb mince mixture into an ovenproof dish. Top with the mashed potato and use a fork to rough up the surface.

8) Bake for about 20-25 mins until the mashed potato is golden brown. Serve immediately.

Mince Pork Curry

This is one of my favourite mom's dishes. It's a simple mince curry dish but yet so delicious. It's the kind of food that you would be happy to top over a bowl of rice and tuck into on a sofa in front of the TV. The ultimate comfort food dinner!

And I always look forward to the leftovers for next morning's breakfast to go with some bread ..... Yum!

Mince Pork Curry

Ingredients
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
3 Tbsp curry powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
80ml coconut milk
500g mince pork
1/2 stick carrot, chopped into small cubes
80g frozen peas
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp plain flour

Method

1) Place the chopped carrots in a pot of water and boil them till cooked. Drain and set aside.

2) Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and fry for 2 minutes until fragrant.

3) Add in the curry powder, chilli powder and coconut milk and continue to fry for a minute.

4) Add the pork mince and fry till the meat is browned. 

5) Add in the carrot and sugar. Season with salt and pepper.

6) Pour in the water and bring to the boil (you may add more water if you prefer more gravy).

7) Dilute the plain flour with 1 Tbsp of water and add to the saucepan to thicken the sauce.

8) Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes. Add in the peas and stir through.

9) Remove from heat and serve.

Serve over a bowl of rice