The Luck of the Shepherd – St. Patty’s Recipe
Posted: March 17, 2010 at 11:38 amHappy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!! I have never really done much to celebrate this holiday, although I think any reason for some fun is a good thing. Also, any reason for great recipes is a great thing. 😀
Last night I made a recipe that was recently posted on Gina's Weight Watchers Recipes blog. I have never done Weight Watchers, but I do really like how they focus on making healthy eating a lifestyle. Gina's recipes are a great example of that too. I love catching the recipes from her site because they epitomize the main 3 rules of anything I am willing to attempt to cook. 1) Nutritious and wholesome ingredients, 2) Delicious, and 3) EASY!! I have said numerous times, I am not a culinary master, or even much of an apprentice for that matter, so the simpleness of the recipe is a must for me.
So, what recipe did I whip up en la cocina last night? A perfect meal for St. Patty's Day - Lightened Up Shepherd's Pie. We'll pretend I made it a day early so I could post the recipe on St. Patrick's Day. 😉 Mmmkay? Now to the good stuff!
INGREDIENTS
Shepard's Pie, Lightened Up
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: about 10.6 oz • Calories: 274 • Points: 5 ww ptsPotatoes:
- 1 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, diced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fat free sour cream
- salt and pepper
- paprika
Filling:
- 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, chopped - omitted bec didn't have any
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, diced
- 10 oz frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, green beans, baby lima beans)
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup fat free beef broth
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp freshly chopped rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp freshly chopped thyme leaves
- salt and pepper
In advance I apologize for the lack of pretty pictures and no photos for all parts. I was too distracted by these two goofy characters:
my sis and M
Step One: Peel and chop the potatoes. Then boil until soft. Mash with chicken broth, sour cream, S&P, and paprika. Set aside until ready to top the filling.
Potatoes Getting Ready for a Party in the Hottub
*Go ahead and preheat oven to 400*
Step Two: Brown the ground beef. Could also use ground turkey or prepare some soy "meat" crumbles for a vegetarian dish. When finished, set aside on a plate or dish.
Cooking up that Lean Beef
Step Three: Add oil to the pan. Saute the onion and garlic in the oil. After 2-3 minutes, add the diced mushrooms and saute another 4-5 minutes.
Saute, Hey!
Step Four: Add the flour, salt, and pepper and mix well. Then add the remaining ingredients - frozen veggies, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, herbs, and beef. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
Step Five: Pour mixture from pan into a 9x13 baking dish. Spread evenly.
Base Layer of all the Goods
Step Six: Top with the mashed potatoes. Should form about a 1/4" or so even layer over the top of the filling.
Creamy Potato Blanket
Layered Up
Step Seven: Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. You can go ahead and clean your kitchen here too. 😉
I Cook with Energy
Step Eight: Allow to cool and then dish yourself out a nice sized serving.
My Plate
This recipe was GREAT! And I at least made it to culinary apprentice with its success. 😉 It will definitely become one of those staples for us to have every few weeks. 😀 I foresee some leftovers for lunch. Gotta celebrate the Irish day some way.
Do you do anything for St. Patrick's Day?
Do you have any recipe rules like my Simple, Delicious, and Nutritious guide?
Psst...a couple giveaways to check out. Amie from The Healthy Apple and Heather from Heather's Dish.
I have never had shepherds pie but everyone keeps posting it and it sounds really good! I think I may try this recipe you posted since it’s healthier. Looks and sounds really yummy!
thanks for the shout-out! i love shepherds pie…i’m a big fan of mixing mashed potatoes with anything! happy st. patty’s day 🙂
I used to drink all day (literally) in college…good times….green beer 🙂
Now, I’m a workin gal’…nothing exciting!
I don’t really celebrate St. Patty’s day either. I did at least remember to wear green today!
Nothing fun for me this year on St Pattys Day! But, I will wear green and thatll be how I celebrate!
Shepherds Pie looks good–and the picture of your sister and M is adorable.
I’ve never even tried shepherds pie, let alone made it at home! My husband is British and I know he would love it if I made this. Your recipe looks great!
Mmm, Shepher’d Pie. It’s one of my childhood comfort foods. Your version looks tasty, but I have to admit I’d choose my grandmother’s! 😉
That dish looks awesome! I’m sure my husband would love it too. He’s such a meat and potatoes (and pizza :)) kinda guy…
great recipe. i love shepherds pie!!
Shepherd’s pie for St. Patty’s day…great idea!
I would say that my 3 rules are 1) delicious 2) filling 3) healthy….in that order =)
I totally forgot about shepard’s pie!!!!! I wish I’d thought about it this weekend and bought the ingredients. Your recipe looks sooooo good! Love your 3 rules!! 🙂
I can’t remember the last time I had Shepard’s Pie! My mom used to make it and I love it. Even though I’m not a big fan of beef, I loved my mom’s meat loaf and meatballs. I think I need to call my mom now!
I am in agreement about your recipe requirements 🙂 This recipe looks great.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am now going to follow yours 🙂
Haha! I love that pic of your sister and M – cute!
My husband has made shephard’s pie in the past, but he definitely didn’t make a healthy version. Yours looks more up my alley 😉
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Your sis and M are so cute!
Gina’s WW recipes are WONDERFUL! I make a lot of her recipes and I’ve never had a bad result. Promise! I saw that Shephards Pie and wanted to make it, too!
Just hungout tonight…ran…drank a green beer, and am watching basketball 🙂 Lame 🙂
OOh I love shepards pie! One of my favorites 🙂 Great lighter recipe!
I’ve never made shepard’s pie.
Didn’t do much for St Patrick’s day except wear green to taekwondo class. My kids and I also read some books about the history of St. Patrick. He has an intense story of faith.
omg the pic of sis in the hat is too cute 🙂
and thx foryour comment re the bodybuilding and that it took alot of time away from your fam. i didnt think of that but yea as a mom, i can totally understand how show training could do that.
xoxo
The sheperd’s pie looks great!
[…] Rest apparently does the body good. I feel somewhat better. Not 100% but the cough died down a bit and my throat hurts less. I still plan on resting the remainder of the day and evening. The hubs will even prepare dinner for us tonight. That doesn’t mean no cooking for me, though. I prepared a dinner to bring to a friend since she just had a baby 2 weeks ago. Gina’s Lightened Up Shepherd Pie. […]