Shepherd’s Pie. Old good classic.
Being a food blogger, it’s such an exciting thing to discover the different cuisines. Indeed, it started few years back when I had my Russian food blog. First I made some authentic Italian cookies, then Turkish flat bread. I ended up having my “World Cuisines Marathon”, and for a year or so I had made and posted over 20 recipes. I even got one Egyptian recipe.
It’s really a great thing to do. I believe, while working on that Marathon, I discovered a lot of things I wasn’t paying much attention before. One of these things was pumpkin pie.
But obviously, I’m not going to talk about desserts today.
There’s a thing, though. I often start my discoveries in a peculiar way. I make some twists on a classic recipe first and then, having tried some unusual flavors or combos, I can try a classic version.
That happened to Tiramisu. First I made Orange Tiramisu. Then I got a Mint version. Then (I hope my Italian readers won’t be angry with me) Tiramisu with Rhubarb and White Chocolate happened to be. If I’m not mistaken Limoncello and Mango Tiramisu followed. As you see, I didn’t have any room for a good old recipe so it happened a bit later.
Oh boy, I didn’ mention Lavender Tiramisu! Just kid – I wasn’t in love with lavender those years (I know some my food buddies could say that were Happy years). But Lavender Tiramisu will happen, sooner or later.
Or let’s say risotto. It was crucial to make red wine and eggplant risottos before I gave a try to well-known combos.
I’ve never made Shepherd’s Pie before. I might have tried it just once or twice in my life too.
This fall Andrew and I had a week when we had meat and poultry meals 5 days in a row! Yup, such a carnivorous week. I mean, 5 days! There are some months I believe we don’t have meat and poultry even a couple of times. You may remember this Apple Pork and Pumpkin Pork. They happened to be that week, Don’t be jealous, please.
So I made the Shepherd’s Pie. As you see, that wasn’t enough to make the well-known classic meal. Thus, I ended up having this Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherd’s Pie. Not sophisticated enough? Few weeks after this one, I made another version, and it wasn’t classic either. Stay tuned.
In my book, sweet potato mash works even better in a Shepherd’s Pie. And it’s such a fall twist. Besides, I saw how Gordon Ramsay incorporates grated parmesan in potato mash, and I loved this idea. Thanks to cheese, the potatoes have a dense texture and lovely crust.
So, delicious and juicy, this Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherd’s Pie would be your perfect satisfying fall meal. And sure, if this is not fancy enough, you could throw some lavender too!
Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Notes
havocinthekitchen.com
Ingredients
- 1 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1,5 tablespoons olive oil
- 550 gr. minced lean turkey
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/4 cup +- Worcestershire sauce (I added more while many recipes suggest just a tablespoon)
- fresh thyme and rosemary
- salt, to taste
- dry chili flakes, to taste
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- handful of grated parmesan
- seasonings to taste
Instructions
- In a large pan heat the olive oil and cook the onions, carrots, and garlic for 2 minutes.
- Add the turkey and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, generously - fresh thyme and rosemary. Season with the smoked paprika, chili, and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Throw throw the unfrozen green peas and cook just for another 2 minutes. Off heat.
- In the meanwhile, cook the sweet potatoes in a pot with boiling water until ready. Drain. Mash and incorporated the parmesan, butter, and seasonings to taste (salt and black pepper are enough).
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (360 degrees F).
- Spread the turkey mixture in an even layer in a large baking dish. Spread the sweet potatoes mash over the turkey. With a fork create a picks on the surface of the mashed potatoes.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes. If desired, grill for a minute or so to get a brown crust.
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
Wow 5 days in a row is a lot (or seems like it to me since I recently have been going more vegetarian). Love the colors of this dish!!
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen recently posted…Yohann iPad Stand Review + Giveaway!
Funny, I think my food blog is a World Food Marathon!
The colors here are just WOW! Then you go on about your Tiramisu with Rhubarb and White Chocolate and I am drooling. Really.
This Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is a great idea and fun twist Ben! Bravo!
Kevin | Keviniscooking recently posted…Cream of Broccoli Soup
Shepherds pie is my hubby’s favorite and I love the twist with the sweet potato topping. YUM! Will have to make this very soon for him and I know he will just love it! Thanks for sharing, Ben :)
karrie @ Tasty Ever After recently posted…Leek Risotto with Gouda and Smoked Mushrooms
A world cuisine marathon sounds like a fantastic idea. You should do another one. AND I KNOW you will need taste testers. I will take one for the team and volunteer myself. :D I can’t get enough of sweet potatoes this time of year and shepherds pie is always a winner, so combining the two = HECK YES. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I could eat this all day long and be a happy camper! Cheers, buddy!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Croissant, Caramelized Onion, Sausage & Pecan Stuffing
Haha, if I need any volunteers, you will be #1 candidate:) Thanks Chey!
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherdâs Pie
Ben, I happen to love Shepherd’s pie – but never had it with a cheesy sweet potato topping – and I gotta say the flavors sure are enticing! Next time I make one, I’ve gotta try this topping!
Now, I also happen to love tiramisu and I am drooling at the Orange Tiramisu and the Tiramisu with Rhubarb and White Chocolate and the Limoncello and Mango Tiramisu – wow! Are they on your blog? If so, then I need to get searching or just come over for a Tiramisu party?
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Lime Yogurt Custard In Delicata Squash Boats
Thanks Shashi! Nope, all these recipes are onvmy old abandoned Russian food blog. I haven’t made tiramisu for ages indeed.
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Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherdâs Pie
I made my first tiramisu out of Twinkies!
There’s a health food delivery place here in town that makes a sweet potato shepherd’s pie! And it’s one of my favorites of their dishes. For the base of the pie, they use a cauliflower mash. I’ll bet any one of your vegetable mashes would be an amazing foundation for a shepherd’s pie.
What ever became of your Russian food blog?
Jeff the Chef recently posted…Russian Dressing Recipe
Wow! This pie looks so FALL-tastic, Ben. Love all the awesome flavors here.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…No Bake Almond Flowers [Video Recipe]
FALL-thank you, Anu! ;)
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherdâs Pie
Believe it or not, but I have actually never had shepherd’s pie! It always looks delicious, though, so I definitely need to whip one up here. We’ve got a whole house full of family waiting on the baby, so I’ve got a lot of mouths to feed. Perhaps a sweet potato shepherd’s pie is in order! :-)
David Dial (@SpicedBlog) recently posted…Cranberry Orange Biscotti
Wait. I’m not your family member, but this sounds like an invitation to came over!:) I’ll bring some lavender dishes haha.
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherdâs Pie
Hello Ben!! I love Sheppard’s pie and your version is a great dish for the holidays. This dish could be the solution for leftovers as well, to make this pie after the festivities with all the mash potatoes and sweet potatoes! meat and veggies!! great idea!
petitgourmetsd recently posted…Potato dinner rolls
Thanks Gaila. You’re right about leftovers. However, when it comes to mash potatoes in our family, we usually don’t have such a thing. We’ll die but likely finish up all the mash potatoes:)
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherdâs Pie