www.sixfingeredman.net
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shepherd pie

Chopped or ground beef subsitituted for the lamb makes the dish cottage pie

Place in a large pot of cold water over medium heat:
	1.5 lbs all purpose potatoes, peeled, quatered and well rinsed

Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about fifteen minutes. Drain, reserving
.5 cup of the cooking water. Mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher((I
use my mixer. I hate lumps)) adding the cooking water along with:
	1 tbs butter
	Salt and ground white pepper to taste

Beat with a wooden spoon until fluffy

Preheat the oven to 400°F

While the potatoes are cooking, heat in a medium skillet over medium-low heat
	3tbs vegetable oil
Add:
	1 medium onion, chopped
	1 carrot, peeled and chopped((baby carrots work fine.))
	1 celery stalk, chopped

Cook, stirring occasionaly, until softened, about 15 minutes. Increase the heat
to medium and add:
	1 pound leftover cooked lamb, finely chopped, or ground raw lamb

Cook for about five minutes, stirring to brown evenly. If using raw lamb, cook
for 10 minutes more, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon.
Spoon off any fat ((This can be tricky - remember, the stuff is hot)) 
Add: 
	1 tbs all purpose flour

Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes

Add:
	.75 cup beef or vegetable stock
	1 tbs chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried
	1 tbs chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried
	Pinch of ground nutmeg
	Salt and black ground pepper to taste(leftovers may not need seasoning)

Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5
minutes. Let cool slightly, then remove to a 9 inch pie plate or baking dish.
Spread the mashed potatoes overthe top, making irregular peaks with the tines
of a fork((or concetric circles, if you're odd like me)).  Scatter over the
top:
	2 tbs cold butter, cut into small pieces

Bake until potatoes are browned and the dish is heated all the way through, 30
to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly, then serve directly from the baking dish.
This tends to look a little gruesome, particularly when served, but tastes and
smells so very wonderful.  Bon Appetite!