The Perfect Comfort Food: Bison Shepherd’s Pie
What is Shepherd’s Pie?
Shepherd’s Pie is a classic British dish that has been around for centuries! It’s a savory pie with a layer of mashed potatoes on top and a filling made with minced meat (traditionally lamb), carrots, peas, and onions.
How to Make Bison Shepherd’s Pie?
For a twist on the classic, let’s use bison instead of lamb and add stout beer in the filling to add a unique depth of flavor.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F. Start by cooking 1 pound of bison in a pan over medium heat until it’s browned. Remove the bison from the pan and set it aside.
Next, in the same pan, add 1 chopped onion, 3 chopped carrots, and 1 cup of peas. Cook the vegetables until they’re soft and tender.
Then, pour in 1 cup of stout beer and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off and let the flavors meld together.
Now it’s time to add the bison back into the pan with the vegetables and beer. Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. Stir everything together in the pan and let it simmer until the sauce thickens.
The Mash Potatoes & Assembly
While waiting for the filling to thicken, it’s time to make the mashed potatoes.
Peel and boil 4 large potatoes until they’re soft, then mash them with 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of butter until smooth.
Now it’s time to assemble the pie! In a 9×13 inch baking dish, pour the bison and vegetable filling in and then spread the mashed potatoes on top. Use a fork to create ridges on the top of the mashed potatoes, which will help them get crispy in the oven.
Bake the Shepherd’s Pie in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Enjoy!
Bison Shepherd’s Pie is comfort food at its finest. The rich flavor of the bison combined with the depth of the stout beer makes for a deliciously cozy meal. So, grab a fork, cozy up on the couch, and enjoy!
