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Spiced shepherd’s pie with parsnip mash

Name: Spiced shepherd’s pie with parsnip mash
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Ingredients: onion 1 large, diced; celery 2 sticks, diced; carrots 2, diced; oil for frying; lamb mince 1 pack, about 500g; ground cumin 1 heaped tsp; cinnamon ¼ tsp; chilli flakes a good pinch (use more if you like heat); plain flour 2 good tsp; tomato purée 2 tbsp; lamb or chicken stock 400ml; parsnips 1kg, peeled and cut into chunks; butter; milk, cream or crème fraîche

1 hour 15 minutes
serves 4
Easy

Make a healthier version of a family favourite. Shepherd's pie is made with lamb's mince and this easy recipe, is topped with a creamy parsnip mash. Good weekend comfort food

Published: December 19, 2014 at 2:32 pm

Ingredients

onion 1 large, diced
celery 2 sticks, diced
carrots 2, diced
oil for frying
lamb mince 1 pack, about 500g
ground cumin 1 heaped tsp
cinnamon ¼ tsp
chilli flakes a good pinch (use more if you like heat)
plain flour 2 good tsp
tomato purée 2 tbsp
lamb or chicken stock 400ml

MASH

parsnips 1kg, peeled and cut into chunks
butter
milk, cream or crème fraîche

Method

Step 1

To make the mash, put the parsnips in a pan of cold water, season with salt and bring to the boil then simmer for 15-20 minutes until completely tender. Parsnips can be quite fibrous, so err on the side of breaking up. Drain really well then mash with a big knob of butter, some seasoning and a good splash of milk, cream or crème fraîche.
Step 2

To make the filling, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan then cook the onion, celery and carrot with a pinch of salt for about 5 minutes until softened. Add in the lamb and cook until browned all over. Add the spices and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the flour and cook for another minute until it disappears.
Step 3

Stir in the tomato purée and stock and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened but still saucy.
Step 4

Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Tip the lamb mix into a baking dish and top with the parsnip mash. Fork to roughen the surface and dot with a little more butter. Cook in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until bubbling and golden.