Yum of the Irish!!

Just popping in to share a great St. Patty's day recipe with you!! Every March 17th, I serve the usual Corned beef and cabbage dinner.. I look forward to it each year, but another great irish recipe that I love to serve is Shepherds Pie!! I vary it depending on what I have on hand, but it is a great comfort food on a cold night! This recipe is particularly good with the Guiness.. mmmmm!! Hope you get a chance to try it. You won't be disappointed!! Following the recipe I have some pictures of decorating your home with touches of green. Hope they inspire you to getin touch with your irish side!! Happy St. Patricks day!!

Guiness Shepherd's Pie

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1/2 c. onion

1/2 c. diced carrots

2 t. minced garlic
1/4 c. Guiness stout

1/4 c. cabernet wine

3/4 c. beef broth

1 T. worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. each.. dried Basil, oregano, sage, marjoram

1 c. peas ( fresh or frozen )

2 T. butter

2 T. Flour

1/2 t. salt 1/2 t.pepper

Potato Topping ( Mashed Potatoes )

In a dutch oven, brown beef. Add onion ,carrot, garlic, wine, broth ,Guiness, w. sauce, and all of the dried herbs. Simmer until carrots are fork tender and then add peas. In another saucepan, melt butter and add flour to make a roux. Add roux tobeef mixture slowly to thicken sauce. continue to cook for 5-10 min. Add salt and pepper. Put mixture in large casserole dish. For the potato topping, make mashed potatoes to your liking. Many shepherd pie recipes vary this topping from simple mashed potatoes to mashed potatoes with white cheddar mixed in, herbs, cream cheese.. whatever tickles your fancy. I use just a simple mashed potato. Top your meat mixture with the mashed potatoes. If you are serving this to guests, you can pipe these on with a piping bag. Bake at 350 for 20- 30 min til potatoes are golden. Serve!!