Fatherless Pie

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 100g (3.5 oz) mushrooms, sliced 100g (3.5 oz) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) potatoes, peeled and cubed 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons butter
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 6g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through. Remove any excess fat.
3. 3.
   Add the onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
4. 4.
   Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender. Drain and return to the pot.
6. 6.
   Mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Transfer the beef filling to a baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
8. 8.
   Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and the filling is bubbling.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. You can also substitute it with ground lamb for a more traditional flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce — Look for gluten-free Worcestershire sauce if you have dietary restrictions.
• Potatoes — Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest mashed potatoes.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, add a layer of grated cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking.
• To save time, you can use leftover mashed potatoes instead of making them from scratch.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or bell peppers to the filling for extra flavor and color.
• If you prefer a crispy crust, broil the pie for a few minutes at the end of baking.
• Serve Fatherless Pie with a side of tangy pickles or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Allow the Fatherless Pie to cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve it hot, straight from the oven, for the ultimate comfort food experience.

Presentation advice

To make the Fatherless Pie visually appealing, use a piping bag to pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the filling in decorative patterns. Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color.