Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Paleo Shepherd's Pie, Minus the Shepherd Part

Kyle and I started watching Boss a few nights ago OnDemand. Right now, we're on episode 5 and I'm sorry, but this show is fighting hard to be qualified as pornography. HARD. Who's seen it??? I mean, am I right, or am I right? I bring this up to make the point that Kyle has just started another episode as I attempt to slap up another delicious paleo recipe for you, so I'm gonna make this one quick.

This is your basic sherpherd's pie recipe, only topped with mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes. There's absolutely no difference in taste. There's only one word that comes to mind to describe this dish: incroyable! Zut alors! Literally, there just isn't a word in the English language that adequately describes it, so there you go.
If you brush a little egg wash on top of the mashed cauliflower and then broil it, it creates this rustic, golden topping. Besides, we all know the best part is always the golden brown stuff.
I served this with a lighter side of marinated cucumbers and tomatoes (balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dill, salt and pepper), because I figured if I eat a cold weather main dish, I might as well eat a summer side dish. I'M CRAZY LIKE THAT, YOU GUYS!!!!!
Technically, there's no lamb--I don't know how that's a technicality, since like, you either did or did not use lamb, but everyone's butchering the English language these days, and if you'll remember above, sometimes I don't even use it--since I used beef but whatever. I think Shepherd's Pie is kind of like risotto: it's more a style of cooking rather than a thing itself. Or something. I dunno, I'm multitasking right now. And quite badly, I might admit.

Here's what I do know: Make this dish. You'll love it.
Especially those little crusty brown bits.



Paleo Shepherd's Pie, Minus the Shepherd Part
Makes about 9 servings


  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef (or meat of your choice)
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 3 medium carrots, finely diced
  • 3 stalks of celery, finely diced
  • 3/4 cup of frozen peas
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 small can tomato past
  • handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 large head cauliflower, chopped into large chunks
  • 2 Tbsp butter (optional)
  • 1/2 cup of canned coconut milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium and saute onion with a pinch of salt until soft and translucent. 
3. Add garlic and saute another two minutes, then add carrots and celery. Saute until carrots soften, then add peas.
4. Add beef to veggie mixture and brown on medium high. Season with salt, pepper, Worcestershire, and oregano. Stir to incorporate.
5. Add tomato paste and mix until it slightly melts and absorbs into the meat. Add chopped parsley and stir to combine. Turn heat down to low to make the mashed cauliflower.
6. In a large pot, steam cauliflower until tender. About 10 minutes. 
7. Drain cauliflower.
8. Put cauliflower back in the pot with the butter, coconut milk, and salt and pepper. Using either a hand masher or an immersion blender, mash until the cauliflower is smooth. You may need to add more milk.
9. Once the cauliflower is prepared, spoon the meat mixture into a square casserole dish (you can use a larger rectangle, but your filling will be thinner). Then, either spoon or, using an icing tip, pipe the mashed cauliflower on top of the meat. Make sure you create lots of peaks and crevasses--these are what will brown in the oven. 
10. Lightly beat the egg, then very lightly brush over the mashed cauliflower.
11. Bake the pie for about 10-15 minutes. Then turn on your broiler and broil another 2-3 minutes, or until topping is lightly golden and brown. Serve warm.

12 comments:

Erin @ Currently Coveting said...

Looks AH-mazing. I actually really like cauliflower mash, so this might be something I need to try to switch up with the regular version!

xx,
Erin

Sarah said...

Oh my goodness. That looks....more than heavenly. I will be making this soon - expect pics :)

Jenna | The Eighty Twenty said...

you have been ON FIRE with these recipes lately. ON. FIRE.

Unknown said...

That looks healthy and yummy, I will be trying this recipe!

Lauren.
Fashionswirls.blogspot.com
xx

Gayla said...

Hahahaha!!!! Great pics...more interestingly, I am totally excited that you guys are watching Boss! I knew you would get into it! Love you, little girl!

Catalina said...

Oh my god, I'm making this tonight. I'm at my wits end with paleo and you just put me back on track. Seriously, this couldn't have come at a better time. I think I love you.

Anonymous said...

I've got to make this! Brown bits are the best :-) Don't think I've had shepherds pie since going paleo.

Anonymous said...

I've got to make this! Brown bits are the best :-) Don't think I've had shepherds pie since gI've got to make this! Brown bits are the best :-) Don't think I've had shepherds pie since going paleo.oing paleo.

Samara said...

SOLD.

Lauren*Michelle said...

I just made this for dinner, was totally delish!!! I put a bit of cheese on top too, screw those paleo elitists I say!!

Anonymous said...

This turned out really good. Only no matter how hard I mashed and how much milk I added, the cauliflower was slightly more rice-like and not smooth and fluffy like yours look. Any suggestions?

Anonymous said...

I haven't had that issue. Make sure you're cooking your cauliflower sufficiently - I steam mine to seat the ensure it breaks down nicely.

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