Shepherd's Pie with Ginger and Green Chilly

What a great way to welcome the beautiful season of Fall, with this comforting, satisfying and really delectable Shepherd's Pie. I believe my version of this recipe is relatively healthy - with the lean ground turkey and a combination of colorful vegetables. I use some ginger and green chilies here which is unique and is definitely an influence owing to my Indian background.

Shepherd's Pie is a layered meat pie with a topping of fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes, covering succulent hot minced meat and vegetables! 

A traditional Shepherd's Pie is made with minced lamb. A similar pie prepared with ground beef is called a Cottage pie. Whatever you want to call them, Shepherds pie or Cottage pie, it simply is the ultimate in comfort food. 

The last time when I went to India, my mom and I made this together. We had used minced beef. Cooking with mom is always fun and of course the compliments from your dad always make you happy !!

This will be defiantly a hit with your guest if you make this as individual pies in ramekins.

Yields – 8*10 inch tray
Ingredients

1 ½ lb – Lean ground turkey (Refer notes)
½ Cup - Onion, chopped
1 ½ Cup – Carrot, chopped
1 ½ Cup – Cabbage, chopped
1 ½ Cup – Celery, chopped
2 Tablespoon – Ginger, minced
4 Tablespoon – Garlic, minced
1 Tsp – Fresh Thyme, minced
1 Tsp – Fresh Oregano, minced
4 - Green chilly
2 Tablespoon - Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon – Ketchup
Salt and Pepper to taste
Oil

6 - Big potatoes, boiled and mashed
3/4 Cup – Milk
1 ½ Cup – Grated cheese, divided (I used Havarti, Parmigiano Reggiano and Sharp Cheddar)
Salt

Directions
For vegetables

• Heat some oil in a saute pan and add onions followed by 1 tablespoon ginger, 1 tablespoon garlic and chopped green chilly
• Add the carrots, celery, cabbage and saute for a few mins.
• Season with salt and pepper
• Take off the heat and keep aside

For meat

• Heat some oil in a saute pan and add 1 tablespoon ginger, 3 tablespoon garlic 
• Add the ground turkey or any meat of your choice
• Mix in Worcestershire sauce and Ketchup
• Add thyme and oregano and season with salt and pepper
• Take off the heat and keep aside
• When the meat is cooked, add the sauteed vegetables and mix everything together. Take off the heat and keep aside

For mashed potatoes

• Pressure cook the potatoes and peal and mash them
• In a non stick sauce pan add the mashed potatoes and milk and 1 cup cheese
• As soon as the cheese melts take it off the heat

Assembly

• Add the meat and vegetable mixture at the bottom of the pan
• Top it with mashed potatoes
• Add 1/2 cup of cheese as garnish
• Bake in the oven at 400 degree oven until bubbling and brown (about 30 minutes). Broil for last few minutes if necessary to brown.

Notes and Tips

• You can make it with any kind of ground meat like beef, lamb or chicken
• If you don’t have fresh thyme and oregano, you can use dry
• I used a combination of Havarti, Parmigiano Reggiano and Sharp Cheddar. You can use the cheese of your choice