Shepherd's Pie

(add a "shamrock" pepper for St Patrick's Day)

Shepherd's Pie
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

3 Tbsp butter
3 carrots peeled and diced
1 rib celery, diced
Various other veggies as you see fit
2 cloves garlic minced
1 Tbsp salt
oregano
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 lb ground beef
1/4 c beef broth
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
pepper
4 c mashed potatoes
1/4 Parmesan cheese

preheat over to 375.

Heat oil and 2 Tbsp butter in large skillet over medium heat. add veggies, salt and oregano, cook till tender. stir in tomato paste, about 8 minutes more. stir in beef, broth and remaining salt, w. sauce, cook till meat is no longer pink.  Transfer meat and veggies to 2 qt oval casserole dish and spread with mashed potatoes on top, sprinkle with cheese, dot with remaining butter. bake until potatoes are brown and juices around the edge bubble. about 40 minutes. let cool 10 minutes before serving.

I love this recipe especially when I have "novice eaters" in the house.  The stage when they are beyond baby food, but still need things pretty mushy, it's easy to feed to them, and yummy enough that the rest of the family likes to eat it as well.  Nice comfort food, easy to double, well received by all.