Sure, here’s the recipe for Russian Shepherd’s Pie, a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal at home. This savory pie combines layers of creamy mashed potatoes with a savory meat filling, topped with gooey melted cheese. It’s a satisfying dish that’s sure to please the whole family, and it’s surprisingly easy to make! Let’s dive into the details:
Russian Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories per Serving: 731.5
Ingredients:
- 6 potatoes
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (divided)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (divided)
- 2 eggs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions:
-
Prepare Potatoes:
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks.
- Place the potato chunks into a saucepan of boiling salted water.
- Cover and cook the potatoes until tender, which should take about 12 minutes.
- Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pan, then remove from heat.
-
Make Mashed Potatoes:
- To the cooked potatoes, add the milk, butter, and half of the salt and pepper.
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth and creamy.
-
Prepare Potato Topping:
- Stir in 1/4 cup of the flour and 1 of the eggs into the mashed potatoes until well combined.
-
Cook the Meat Filling:
- Meanwhile, in a large nonstick frying pan, sauté the ground beef over medium-high heat.
- Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Drain off any excess fat from the beef.
-
Add Vegetables and Seasonings:
- To the cooked beef, add the chopped onions, sliced mushrooms, caraway seeds, and the remaining salt and pepper.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, which should take about 8 minutes.
-
Thicken the Filling:
- Sprinkle the remaining flour over the meat and vegetable mixture.
- Cook, stirring constantly, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flour to cook and thicken the filling.
-
Assemble the Pie:
- Spread half of the mashed potato mixture evenly into an 8-inch square glass baking dish.
- Spoon the meat mixture over the potatoes, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Top the meat mixture with the remaining mashed potatoes, spreading them out evenly.
- Beat the remaining egg and brush it over the top of the mashed potatoes.
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top of the pie.
-
Bake the Pie:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the assembled pie into the preheated oven and bake until the topping is golden brown, which should take approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the pie is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Slice the Russian Shepherd’s Pie into portions and serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
This Russian Shepherd’s Pie is a delightful twist on the classic dish, with the addition of caraway seeds adding a unique and flavorful touch. It’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a weekend brunch with friends and family. With its hearty layers of mashed potatoes, savory meat filling, and gooey melted cheese, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy! 🥧🥔🧀
