Tuesdays Creations

So here is to you Kristyna!

Anxious to be a good little wifey I hurried home from school to get dinner on the table before Zach got home on Tuesday, With no idea of what to make I turned to the contents of the fridge for inspiration. I happened upon some delicious mashed potatoes Zach made for Sunday dinner. I decided right then and there I would make Shepherd's Pie.

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

(or pre-made mashed potatoes)

• 5 carrots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 3/4 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F 

(I did not mash. That sounded like baby food)

Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.

(I added a layer of spinach because its a sneaky tasty way to get some dark green goodness in there. Plus you can't really taste it. )

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. 

By the way, it was delicious.

For dessert. I decided I needed some chocolate. So, Brownies were a must.

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

 Melt the butter or margarine and mix all ingredients in the order given.

 

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan.

Last night it snowed a couple of inches. It was sunny this morning so I was hoping some 80 degree weather would melt it in seconds. Sadly my computer said it was 25 when I left. I really don't mind winter but it is almost May. 

This is what spring should look like.