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Shepherd's or Cottage Pie for St. Patrick's Day

I’m not knocking boiled dinner.
It’s delicious. Growing up, I enjoyed it with my Irish family every St. Patrick’s Day. However, if you’re looking for a more traditional meal, an Irish meat pie is the way to go. If you’re using lamb it is called shepherd’s pie, while the beef version is called cottage pie. It’s hearty, filling, and goes great with a pint of stout, and is perfect for a cold winter day.
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 ounces butter, divided
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • lbs ground lean grass-fed beef or lamb
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup peas
  • dash of paprika

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  •  Slice off the top of the head of garlic. Wrap garlic in aluminum foil and roast for 35 minutes. Remove from oven when tender and turn the oven down to 375 degrees.
  • Meanwhile, place potatoes in a pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender and mash until nearly smooth.
  • Squish out the roasted garlic from its skins and mash in a small saucepan. Add milk and half of the butter and place over medium heat. When butter melts, stir the mixture into potatoes.
  • Set a large skillet over a medium-high flame. Add olive oil and when it shimmers, add onions, carrots, and thyme and cook until onion is translucent. Add meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring until browned.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 ounces of butter. Whisk flour into melted butter and cook for a few minutes, then add tomato paste. Whisk in stock and Worcestershire sauce. Cook a few minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper and then remove from heat.
  • Stir half of this gravy into the meat mixture, along with peas. Turn mixture into a buttered 3-quart casserole dish and spoon garlic mashed potatoes on top. Dust with paprika. Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbling and slightly browned. Serve hot with remaining gravy alongside.