My mom is the kind of person that likes to simplify things. That’s how she cooked for a family of 6 in less than an hour most of the time. Shepard’s pie is traditionally baked. That consumes time and if the oven is electric, it consumes energy too. My mom found an easier way and it’s a delicious and nutritious meal.
Pastelon de papa (Creole Shepard’s pie)
- 2 lbs. unpeeled red potatoes or peeled russet potatoes
- 2 cups shredded mozarella and cheddar cheese (1 cup each or mixed cheese blend)
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1/3 cup 1% milk
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lb. ground beef or any meat (shrimp, canned tuna, textured soy, pork, etc.)
- 1 diced onion
- 2 tbsp. sofrito
- 3 tbsp. vinegar
- adobo, garlic powder, parsley (optional)
Wash potatoes thoroughly, chop them in quarters, and boil or steam cook them. Season water with adobo.
In a large pan add the vinegar and sofrito. Let it cook until sofrito starts to dry. Add ground beef and diced onion loosening the beef while cooking. If cooking other meat, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil first, then the sofrito, let it brown, add the vinegar, and diced onion, then the meat.
Add seasonings to the meat. I usually use adobo and garlic powder and maybe a bit of paprika. Continue cooking until meat is well done.
When the potatoes are nice and tender, remove them from pot and place in a bowl. Mash them with 2 tbsp. butter, 1/3 cup 1% milk or less, just enough to make the potatoes creamy, then 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, and season with garlic powder and parsley.
Once the potatoes are mashed and well blended. In a molding pan, make a layer of potatoes at the bottom, then half of the shredded cheese, then the meat, another layer of potatoes, and top with the remaining cheese. Place in microwave for 30-45 seconds to melt the top cheese layer (optional).
And that’s it! It’s a simple meal to cook. The only thing that takes time are the potatoes. I like using red potatoes because I don’t have to peel them and the skin is high in nutrients. Russet potatoes aren’t meant to be eaten unpeeled and are a bit more bland. Another great substitute for potatoes is breadfruit. They’re peeled and cooked the same way. Breadfruit is delicious and high in nutrients. Much like potatoes, they’re very versatile but have much more flavour.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. It’s one of my family’s favourites.
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