Irish Shepard's Pie

Micha and I stayed a while in Ireland before we immigrated to Canada. We love Ireland - the music, the food, the people, the landscape. I got this wonderful recipe from somebody and I just love making it. It is a bit more work, but the end result is more than rewarding. Here it is - for 4 persons:

• 2.5 lb. of potatoes - peeled

Boil the potato for about 15-20 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, prepare the meat.

• 1 Tbsp. Oil 
• 2 Tbsp. Butter
• I diced Onion
• 3 gloves Garlic
• 2 lb. minced lamb (or beef / pork if you don't have any)

Heat up the oil and butter in a frying pan and add the onions, garlic and the meat. Brown the meat and break it up and cook for about 10 min. Add:

• salt & pepper
• 2 Tsp. of Nor Easter mustard
• 1 tsp. each rosemary and paprika
• some cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp. Ketchup (I used tomato paste and some water)
• 1/3 cup of flour

Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes. Keep stirring. Add

• 2 1/2 cup Water

stir and reduce heat to medium - low and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and add:

• 12 oz. of peas and carrots

Mix it all together and spread the whole mixture into a baking dish. Meanwhile, the potatoes should be ready. Preheat the oven to 190° C.  Drain the water and add:

• some Cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup of cream cheese
• salt & pepper to taste
• one egg yolk with 2 Tbsp. of milk mixed

Mash the potatoes and add some more milk if needed. The potatoes should be smooth and creamy. Then spread the mash potato on the meat. If you like, you can add some 

• grated cheese

on top of the potatoes. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. Enjoy

Your Mustard Lady