Sunday, May 23, 2010

Shepherd's Pie Lasagna




















My Venture into Non-Traditional Lasagna

Today's recipe is a work in progress. Initially, I was trying to make a meat and potato version of pierogi lasagna. I've had pierogi lasagna made with only potatoes, caramelized onions, and cheese. It was tasty but a bit too carby for my taste. After tweaking this recipe several times, it's now to the point that it's more like a shepherd's pie – hence the name "Shepherd's Pie Lasagna." It has all of the key ingredients in a shepherd's pie but is layered like a lasagna.

I'm not ready to say this recipe is exactly to my liking. Don't get me wrong – it's very tasty. This is comfort food at its finest. If you like meat and potatoes, I think you'll like this dish. That said, I think it can stand some improvement. Sometimes when I'm developing a recipe, I have to step back and not make it for a while. Every so often, I like to post in-progress recipes like this one so my blog buddies can offer advice on improvements. What would you do to make this recipe better? If you make it, what did you think? What does it need? What should I tweak. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Do any of you watch the television show "Lost" on ABC? The series finale is tonight (Sunday) and I CANNOT WAIT to watch it. Right before it comes on, I'm turning off my cell phone, shutting off my lights, and making some popcorn. For two hours of ecstasy, I will be sitting in my easy chair without blinking or moving. That show is almost as good as Star Trek. Almost. This Shepherd's Pie Lasagna is a perfect send off for the show. Do you know why? Because the main character's name is Jack SHEPHARD. Get it? Huh?! See…see! Yeah, I know. I need to get a life.

I often get emails from people requesting recipes for dishes they don't know how to make – especially recipes for foods from their favorite restaurants. As many of you know, I really enjoy developing recipes so feel free to let me know what you'd like to see on my blog. If you have any requests, just leave a comment at the bottom of this webpage. If I think your request will have public appeal, I'll try to post a recipe sometime. I hope you like today's experimental recipe. Enjoy – and happy getting "Lost"!

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Shepherd's Pie Lasagna
(Printable Version)

For the Potato Layer:
2 egg yolks
2 c leftover thick mashed potatoes
1/2 c freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 c freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 - 3 TBSP flour (depending on how thick your mashed potatoes are)
1 TBSP butter
1/2 bunch scallions (white and light green parts), chopped

For the Meat Layer:
1 TBSP oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c red wine (such as a merlot)
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 can (10 3/4 oz) low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon
1 TBSP worchestershire sauce
1 1/2 c milk
1 1/2 c freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

For the Top Layer:
1 1/2 c freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 to 3 TBSP cooked and crumbled bacon pieces (I use "Real Bacon" from the salad aisle)

Other Ingredients Needed:
9 No-cook lasagna noodles
Chopped scallions or parsley for garnish

For the Potato Filling: In a large bowl, add the egg yolks, leftover mashed potatoes (cold or room temperature), the cheeses, and the flour then stir to combine. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped scallions and saut̩ until soft Рabout 3 minutes. Add the scallions to the potato mixture and stir to combine. Set aside until needed. Note: It is important to you use somewhat thick, leftover mashed potatoes (or use store-bought). If you normally prepare thin mashed potatoes like my grandmother does, the potato filling will not set up properly and will be a bit messy when you cut into the cooked lasagna. It'll still taste good but it will be a bit messy.

For the Meat Filling: In the same skillet you cooked the scallions in, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Add the hamburger and a little salt (not too much since you'll be adding salty bouillon later) and some pepper. Brown then drain. Return the browned meat to the skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is really hot and the hamburger is sizzling really well, add the wine and stir until it has mostly evaporated and absorbed into the meat – about 4 minutes. This cooks off most of the alcohol so the meat does not end up tasting "boozy." Add the peas and carrots and stir to combine. Add the soup, bouillon, worchestershire sauce, and milk and stir to combine. When the mixture begins to simmer, reduce to medium heat and cover. Simmer 10 minutes (covered), stirring after 5 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to simmer uncovered for 5 additional minutes or until the mixture is pretty thick. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Set aside until needed. You will add the cheddar cheese during assembly.

Assembly Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350F. When the meat is in its last 5 minutes of cooking, fill a 9 x 13" dish with very hot tap water. Place the lasagna noodles in the water and allow them to sit for about 5 minutes – swishing them around every so often to make sure they're not sticking together. After 5 minutes, remove the softened noodles one-by-one from the water and place them on a clean kitchen towel to drain.

Spray a 2-quart dish with cooking spray. Place about 1 cup of the meat filling on the bottom of the dish. Add a layer of the noodles – tearing the noodles as needed to get them to fit in the dish. Place half of the meat filling on the noodles followed by 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese. Add another layer of noodles. Next, add the potato filling and spread the potatoes as evenly as possible – going all of the way to the edge of the dish. Add a final layer of noodles then top with the remaining meat mixture. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese on top. Spray a piece of foil with cooking spray and cover the lasagna. Bake for 30 minutes then remove the foil and bake an additional 30 minutes. Sprinkle the bacon pieces on top and return to the oven for 3 minutes to crisp up the bacon. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped scallions or parsley.

13 comments:

  1. Hey blog buddies! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

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  2. Wow! This sounds really good! I'm going to give this recipe a try one of these days and let you know. I'm from Manitoba and right now we are having wonderful warm weather so it's bbq season, but on a cooler, rainy day I will try this recipe.

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  3. NOt sure of the spelling, but perhaps a Bechamel Sauce layer on top?

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  4. Lauren -- Bechamel sauce is a nice idea. Maybe even a cheese sauce (called a "mornay sauce") would be an interesting.

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  5. This looks different and good, a nice change from the "same old" for dinner. I think my Irish husband would like it very much. I love your blog and already have a list of recipes I want to try.

    Vote for Starry Night by #33 in the Ultimate Sprinkle Contest (link via name).

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  6. Hey Vince,
    this is right up my alley - I love comfort food and shepherd's pie mixed with lasagne?! Hello! How was your LOST night? :) I'm waiting to download the whole lot and watch in one go...

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  7. Shal -- Lost was SOOO good! I almost cried!

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  8. Coming out of lurking....everything okay? Been a while since the last post...

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  9. I've been SWAMPED at work but I hope to post another recipe on Wednesday. Sorry for the delay guys!

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  10. I agree with Shal. Two of my favorite dishes rolled into one recipe. Now you've got ME thinking! What would roll in well with Mac n Cheese???

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  11. Roll in well with Mac n Cheese? Ham would be great. I think it would be kind of interesting to throw in the pesto sometime (which Italians would never overly heat). Rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes(or the ones packed in oil) might be interesting. I've added broccoli to Mac N Cheese before and loved it. Of course, I love broccoli in anything.

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  12. I'd think more along the lines of cauliflower. And ya know? Peas. I think peas are so undermentioned in such recipes. Yep tomatoes are good. I guess we can't go too far or else it turns in to a pasta bake!

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  13. hi just came upon your blog this recipe looks really good the only thing I would change would be to omit the cream of mushroom soup and add a brown gravy for the sauce I look forward to trying this recipe when we get back from camping I really enjoy reading your blog and look forward to trying some of the recipes

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