Greek Spiced Shepard's Pie


Inspired from a recipe at Epicurious.com. Serves 4.

For the lamb mixture
1 TB sunflower oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 large cloves minced garlic
1 lb. parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 lb. carrots, peeled and chopped
1 lb. ground lamb
3/4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tsp crumbled dried mint
1 tsp crumbled dried oregano
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 lb can plum tomatoes, drained, reserving 1/2 cup of the juice, and chopped
1 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 lb. crumbled feta cheese

For the topping
1.5 lbs potatoes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup milk or cream
1/4 lb. crumbled feta cheese

Make the lamb mixture
In a large skillet heat the oil over moderate heat, add the onion and cook, stirring, for two minutes. Add the garlic and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the parsnips and carrots, lower heat slightly and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the lamb, increase heat slightly and cook the mixture, stirring and breaking up any lumps, until the lamb is no longer pink. Pour off any excess fat from the skillet, add the cinnamon, the mint, the oregano, and the allspice, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes with the reserved juice, the tomato paste, and salt and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, for 15 minutes, or until it is thickened. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the feta. The lamb mixture improves in flavor if made up to this point and kept, covered and chilled, overnight. Bring to room temperature before continuing. Spread the mixture in a buttered 8x8 baking dish, or small casserole.

Make the topping
In a large saucepan combine the potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces, with enough cold water to cover them by 1 inch, and some salt. Bring the water to a boil, and simmer the potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain the potatoes, return them to the pan, and cook them over moderate heat, shaking the pan, for 30 seconds to evaporate any excess liquid. Force the potatoes through a ricer or the medium disk of a food mill into a bowl, add the butter, the milk or cream, the feta, and salt and pepper to taste, and stir the mixture until it is combined well and butter is melted.

Spoon the topping over the lamb mixture, spreading it to cover the lamb mixture completely. Bake the potpie in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it is browned lightly.

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