Shepherd's Pie Potato Boats

These are fun! A classic dish with a little twist. The whole family loves whenever I make them! I use extra large Russets, so one half of a potato is perfect as a single serving. Add a nice bowl of salad and some garlic bread to the dinner table, and you have a meal the entire family will ooh and ahh over. Promise!

Ingredients For Potatoes:

4 large baking potatoes

small amount of olive oil

dash of kosher salt

2 Tbs butter

1/2 cup cream or milk

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup cheddar cheese *set aside

Ingredients For Shepherd's Pie Filling:

1 Lb ground sirloin

3 large carrots, peeled and sliced

1 med onion, chopped

1 cup frozen peas (can use more if you like)

2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 cup beef broth

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp thyme

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash potatoes and pat dry. Pour about 1 Tbs olive oil into your palm; rub onto each potato. Place potatoes on baking sheet and sprinkle with some kosher salt. Bake, uncovered, for exactly 1 hour. Remove from oven and let sit until cool enough to handle. *Adjust oven temp to 350. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scrape out the inside of each potato into a medium bowl, leaving a small rim of potato in the skin for support. Mash to desired consistency. *I use a handheld mixer for this. Add in butter, cream, salt and pepper. Set bowl aside.

In a large skillet, cook your ground sirloin until it just starts to crumble; there will still be some pink. Add in your chopped onion and sliced carrots. Cook for about 10 minutes. By now your meat will be completely brown and crumbled and your carrots should be tender. Add in your minced garlic and cook until fragrant, just a minute or two. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and peas. Let simmer for a few minutes. Season with thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Arrange hollowed potatoes in a large baking dish. Spoon about 1/2 cup of meat mixture into each potato. Top each potato boat with about 1/4 cup mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Heat in oven for about 15 minutes. Just until cheese melts and potatoes are heated through.
Makes 8 potato boats

Shepherd's Pie Potato Boats will be participating in these fantastic LINK PARTIES