He kind of fixed it. Sort of. The huz put the oven back together, at least, but there was no real change in the problem. Still, at least we had an oven to use again. With frustrations.
So, with the oven “working,” again, we decided that we’d venture into planned entertaining for the first time since Little was born. I found I was pregnant. a long time ago. As usual, I pulled a recipe from Real Simple magazine, adapted it and served it. To raves. Seriously. We’re talking third helpings.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 to 1 lb ground beef
- about 1 pound potatoes
- butter
- milk
- salt
- pepper
- frozen peas (frozen peas and carrots or frozen mixed vegetables will work, too)
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon EVOO
Get Cookin’
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Make mashed potatoes (peel and boil potatoes until they are really soft. I like to be able to pierce my fork through and the potato starts to fall apart. Place potatoes in a large bowl and, using a hand or standing mixer, mash them until desired consisteny (in this case, almost creamy). As you are mixing, add salt, pepper, butter and milk to taste.
- Brown beef in EVOO, drain, return to pan
- Transfer meat to pan (pie pan works nicely or a casserole dish.) Spread mashed potatoes over meat as you would icing. Bake 20-30 minutes, until potatoes begin to brown.
- Add frozen veggies, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and salt and pepper to taste. Stir over low heat, about 5 minutes.
Notes for next time: This recipe is so easy to double and triple. I’m adding it to my list of meals to make for friends and family in need because I can make several at a time, all I need are some disposable foil pie pans. Also, the huz would prefer I add more veggies next time. This is a great meal to make ahead, stop after you transfer the meat and potatoes to the pan. Cook when you are ready for your meal, adding about 10 minutes to your cooking time (test it first before you eat it!) I served this with a salad of lettuce, apple pieces, raisins and walnuts. The kids didn’t eat it at the party, instead they had pepperoni roll-ups, a kid-friendly favorite.
Star Power Rating: The kids had the leftovers and surprised themselves giving it two thumbs up. As stated, the huz requests more veggies when I make it next time. And, yes, he also requested that there is a next time. Star Power Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. (you do have to slave in the kitchen a little more for this one.)
Trivial Sidenote: You see, I always thought this was called Shephard’s Pie. But as I was preparing the menu for the evening I read in Joy of Cooking that Shephard’s Pie uses leftover lamb. Cottage Pie uses ground beef or other meets.
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Just a note for anyone who doesn’t know: always add butter to potatoes before the milk. Also, be careful not to beat too much once the milk has been added. Adding the ingredients in the wrong order or overmixing can lead to gluey potatoes.
Glad your oven is functioning again!
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