Ingredients/Veal Shepherd’s Pie 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp unsalted butter 1-1/2 cups diced onion 2 large cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 lbs ground veal 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed 3 Tbsp tomato paste 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes 1 bay leaf 3 Tbsp minced flat-leaf parsley leaves 3/4 lb turnips, cut into 1-inch pieces 3/4 lb carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 tsp unsalted butter 1/2 tsp sugar kosher salt freshly ground pepper 1 large egg 1/4 cup grated farmhouse cheddar (optional)
Method/Veal Shepherd’s Pie In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until onion is golden, 10– 12 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute more. Add the meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until it loses its red color, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more. Add the crushed tomatoes and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and spoon off any excess fat. Stir in the parsley and add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Put the turnips and carrots in a single layer in a skillet just large enough to hold them. Add enough water so that it comes halfway up the sides of the vegetables; add 2 tsp unsalted butter and 1/2 tsp sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Cover the vegetables with a round of parchment paper just large enough to fit the inside of the pan, or with a lid slightly ajar. Simmer the vegetables until tender, 8–10 minutes. Removethecoverandraisetheheattohigh.Tossthevegetables frequently in the pan, as the liquid evaporates to a shiny smooth glaze. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add to meat mixture. Set aside. Ingredients/Cremini Mushroom Mashed 1/2 lb button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tsp kosher salt 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp unsalted butter Freshly ground black pepper Freshly grated nutmeg Method/Cremini Mushroom Mashed Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms until golden, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, 1 tsp salt and cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return to the pan. Shake the pan over medium heat for about a minute to dry the potatoes, then transfer the potatoes to a food mill, ricer or bowl. Put the milk and butter in the saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the milk is hot and the butter melts. Remove the pan from the heat. Mash the potatoes through the food mill or ricer, or by hand, into the pan. Stir to combine with the milk and butter. Season with salt and pepper and nutmeg, if desired. Add in sautéed mushrooms. Set aside. Ingredients/Caramelized Onion Sauce 2 Tbsp olive oil 4 cups thinly sliced onions salt freshly ground black pepper 2 cups chicken stock Method/Caramelized Onion Sauce Put the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 10–12 minutes, or until caramelized. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and, using a hand-held blender, puree until smooth. Strain through a sieve and cool completely. Taste; season if necessary Assembly Scoop the meat and vegetable mixture into service cups or glasses. Add onion sauce, and then pipe the mashed potatoes on top.