Skip to main content

04-04 Easter - The Good Shepherd's Pie

Get it? =) Happy Easter!
This is a lighter, chicken version of a shepherd's pie. 
The herbs are very flexible so feel free to substitute and experiment.

Separately, make 2-3 c mashed russet/baking potatoes (mash with broth or milk, so its spreadable) 
(I have also used leftover mashed potatoes, just don't use baby reds)
Then mix into the potatoes:
1 T fresh parsley, chopped or 2 t dried
5 oz packaged herbed soft cheese (Boursin is one brand)
1 t sage
1 t garlic, minced
(Or make your own:  cream or goat cheese mixed 1-2 cloves of garlic, 1 t oregano & parsley , 1/4 t     thyme, dill, basil & black pepper) Set aside.

In wide, flat large pan, sauté in olive oil about 3 minutes, don't over cook!:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken, cubed
salt and pepper
Then push to side of pan and add:
1 c carrots, shredded
1/2 onion, diced small
Stir all together again and when onion is glistening, add
1/2 c frozen corn
1/2 c frozen peas
Stir all quickly and push to side of pan again
(you don't really want to cook the peas)

Make a roux, by whisking in side of pan:
1 T butter
Sprinkle in, to prevent clumping, 2-3 T flour or 1 T cornstarch or your preferred thickening agent
Then whisk in
2 C chicken stock
Once the sauce appears smooth, add
1 T Dijon mustard
Let it barely boil for sauce to begin to thicken 
then reduce to medium heat and season with:
1 t or so each-parsley, tarragon, thyme
salt and pepper
Then add:
large handful of baby spinach, chopped
Stir well and pour into 9 x 13 baking dish - size can vary 
(If you double the recipe, wider is better than deeper)

Cover top of chicken mixture with evenly spread mashed potatoes.
Sprinkle top with Paprika and grated Parmesan
Bake uncovered at 350 about 30 minutes - until potatoes are golden.
MMMM!

This can be assembled ahead of time and then put in the oven. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mexetti Squash

So I wanted to use the spaghetti squash but I wasn't in the mood for the usual Italian meatball pseudo-spaghetti. I also wanted something just as quick and easy so I browsed around on the internet and got an idea to use Mexican flavors. Here is what I served everyone tonight so we can remember it. There are no real measurements since every squash is a different size. Cut a spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. In a microwaveable dish, place one half skin side down so it can be filled with: cooked, cut up chicken diced Hatch chiles zucchini, chopped finely red bell pepper, chopped finely onion, chopped finely OR onion powder sprinkled on top Sprinkle it all with a little salt, pepper and cumin and shredded Jack, Manchego or other cheese Pour some enchilada sauce over it all. Add some heat with salsa, chile powder or whatever you like or not. Cover and cook- I microwaved a large half for about 15 minutes The smaller half only took 10 minutes. I served i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rainy day Farro with chicken

     This tasted really good on this cold and rainy March evening.  I still had Farro (an Italian wheat cousin with more nutrition than brown rice) in the cupboard so I searched around for farro recipes and came up with this version. Your dad wants to eat it again (and me, too) so here it goes down on record.  I didn't really measure the ingredients so I will do my best to come up with good estimates. Sprinkle generously 1/2 - 1lb cooked chicken in large chunks (off a rotisserie chicken works well) with oregano, salt and pepper and drizzle about 1 Tb apple cider vinegar & ! Tb canola oil  over it & set aside. I think warming it a bit will help the flavor soak in the chicken but it isn't necessary. Sauté 1 large colored bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 med onion, chopped 4-5 cloves garlic, minced until glossy and softened Add in 1 1/2 c uncooked Farro, rinsed 2 1/2 c chicken broth 1/2 t cumin powder 1/4 c sun dried tomatoes in olive oi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tuna bean salad

Mix together: 1/3 c olive oil 3 T red wine vinegar Freshly & finely chopped chives or 1/4 t onion powder  Salt and pepper to taste Set aside. Combine:  6 oz tuna packed without liquid (if packed in oil, add less oil; if packed in water, drain) 1 can/15 oz cannellini beans, drained & rinsed 1 T capers 3/4 c cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 T freshly chopped basil Pour dressing over and gently combine. Serve alone,  as a salad on a bead of spinach or open face sandwich on a crusty bread -both need an extra drizzle of olive oil.
Post a Comment
Read more