SWEET POTATO SHEPHERD'S PIE

Who doesn’t love a delicious, warm shepherd’s pie to welcome the fall season? We love this sweet potato take!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb (or a mixture)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ½ finely diced white or yellow onion

• 2 medium or one large carrot, peeled and diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• ¼ cup red wine

• ½ cup beef stock 

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• ½ teaspoon of dried rosemary

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 6 sweet potatoes

• 1 tablespoon of butter

• ¼ cup of heavy cream

• 1 egg

• 4 oz Gouda cheese - shredded

Prep

1. Coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil, then stab them several times with a fork.

2. Place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 350 F until they are easily pierced with a knife. (Depending on the oven, that may take at least 60 minutes). 

3. While your sweet potatoes roast, prep your veggies:

   1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet, then add your diced onions. Cook until translucent.’Add your carrots and celery and cook until softened. (A few minutes).

   2. Add salt and pepper to taste.

   3. Add the rosemary and stir well.

4. Add the red wine and cook until reduced, stirring occasionally

5. Add the tomato paste and combine well

6. Add the beef stock and turn down to a simmer for approximately 15 minutes. Allow to thicken, stirring occasionally. 

7. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or rosemary to your liking.

8. If your sweet potatoes aren't done yet, once your mixture has cooked, cover and take it off the heat. 

9. Once your sweet potatoes are done, take them out of the oven and remove the skin. You should be able to scoop out the flesh fairly easily.

   1. Place in a large mixing bowl and mash.

   2. Add the tablespoon of butter and heavy cream. Mix to combine.

   3. Add the egg and mix well.

   4. Add about 3/4 of the shredded Gouda cheese and mix it into the sweet potato mixture. Combine well. 

10. Place your meat mixture into a square baking dish, about 6 x 6.  

11. Spoon the sweet potato mixture over the meat and spread out.

12. Top with the remainder of the shredded Gouda cheese 

13. Bake at 350 F for 20 - 25 minutes or until the top of the sweet potato mixture begins to brown.

14. Remove from the oven and allow to set for 5 minutes.

15. Serve in squares with your favorite beverage!

Enjoy!