By Michael Minorgan for Curtains Up
www.globalgourmets.ca michael@globalgourmets.ca
Mexican Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato
As we slowly ease into fall and its cooler temperatures comfort food becomes the perfect elixir. To Me one of the most satisfying comfort foods has always been “Cottage Pie” or Shepherd’s Pie. Cottage Pie, as it was first known, was first mentioned in 1791 when the potato was first being introduced as an edible crop affordable to the country’s poor and rural workers. It was a dish using left over roasted meats with a crust of mashed potatoes on top. The actual term shepherd’s pie didn’t appear until around 1877 and because shepherds were commonly associated with sheep the meat of choice became lamb. (1) Due to its popularity and inexpensive preparation shepherds pie became a staple dish in many global cuisines,l adapting the dish with locally sourced ingredients.
My weekly recipe puts a slight twist on the original by using mashed sweet potatoes and kicking up the meat filling with some Mexican chillies and spices…..Enjoy!
(1) Wikipedia
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 1lb ground beef
- 2 large bell peppers (red, green, yellow or orange) diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4oz fire roasted green chilis
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 1 can black beans drained
- 1/2 cup shredded aged cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 400F. Bake sweet potatoes in the oven until soft. Sauté ground beef in a little oil until cooked through and nicely browned. Transfer bee to a bowl and set aside.
Add onions and peppers to the skillet and cooked till browned. Add beef, tomatoes, beans, green chillies, garlic powder, chilli powder and smoked paprika and cook for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile mash potatoes with a little milk, /salsa and cheese and season with salt and pepper. Pour meat mixture into 9X9 pan and spread sweet potato on top. Bake or 20 minutes and finish by broiling for 5-10 minutes until top is nicely browned
