Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie ( a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes if you have any - or next time you make mashed potatoes, make extra and you are a step ahead for your next meal)



Meat layer
2 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce (maybe use more next time)
1/2 cup beef broth (fat free)
2 cups frozen peas or peas and carrots

Potato layer
6 to 8 cups mashed potatoes -
I used
8 medium russet potatoes - peeled, cut up and boiled until soft
1/2 cup chicken broth (fat free)
1 Tbsp margarine

Brown ground beef and onion until beef is no longer pink and onion is translucent. Stir in worcestershire, tomato paste and beef broth - heat to boiling. Add peas and cook until peas are warmed through, stirring occasionally.
Mash potatoes adding margarine and chicken broth. These should be a little stiff.
Spray 9 x 13 inch baking dish with oil. Spread meat mixture in bottom of dish. Spread potatoes over the beef mixture. The best way I have found to do this without having the meat mix in with the potatoes - take very thin spoonfuls of the potatoes and place on top of the meat - spreading just a little. Once you have covered the whole dish with a thin layer, spread the remaining potatoes over top. To finish off the top, take a fork and make lines through the potatoes - this will help give the crunchy brown potato edges that are so good!


Serving size is 1/8 of the casserole - 8 WW PointsPlus.



Serve with a veggie or fruit on the side and you have a meal! I thought it could have used a little more salt (but of course I like salt and need to cut back).
I pre-cooked this yesterday by preparing everything up to the point of layering it in the casserole. Very easy to assemble and bake after church today (and very little mess).

Italian Potatoes

Potatoes
Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Cooking spray

Coat a cooking sheet with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350.

Cut potatoes into slices or strips. Place in a plastic bag with the olive oil (enough to coat the potatoes) and the seasoning.
Place potatoes in a single layer on the prepared cooking sheet.
Place in oven and bake until potatoes are tender and golden brown. Turn the potatoes midway. For a crispier potato, place under broiler for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time.

Golden Potato Halves

(This is a good use for leftover boiled or baked potatoes)

Cooked potatoes
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Preheat broiler. (If potatoes are cold you may want to warm them a little in the microwave or oven before cutting).
Cut cooked potatoes in half and arrange in a baking dish with cut side up.
Brush each with a small amount of olive oil.
Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste.

Place under broiler until potato tops are golden brown.