Episode Twenty-Eight- Swedish Meatball-Inspired Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

Meat Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1/2 lb ground pork

• 1 sweet onion, finely diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Salt, to taste

• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp allspice

• 1 tbsp finely chopped thyme

Gravy:

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 tbsp regular soy sauce

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)

Mashed Potatoes:

• 2.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 egg yolks

• 1/4 cup cream

• 4 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

Additional:

• Lingonberry jam (for serving)

• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

• 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)

Instructions:

Meat Filling:

1. In a large skillet, sauté ground beef, ground pork, diced onion, minced garlic, freshly ground black pepper, salt, nutmeg, allspice, and finely chopped thyme until browned. Drain excess fat.

Gravy:

1. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

2. Gradually add beef broth, continuing to stir until thickened.

3. Add regular soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, heavy cream, and sour cream. Mix until combined and then integrate with the meat mixture.

4. Reserve half gravy for serving.

Mashed Potatoes:

1. Boil the peeled and chunked potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well.

2. Return the drained potatoes to the pot. Add butter and cream, mashing until smooth.

3. Mix in the egg yolks and 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan until well combined.

Assemble and Bake:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Pour the meat and gravy mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.

3. Layer the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture.

4. Sprinkle the remaining 4 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top turns golden and the edges are bubbling.

Serve:

1. Slice and plate the shepherd's pie with a generous amount of gravy.

2. Garnish with fresh parsley and add a generous dollop of lingonberry jam on the side of each slice.