Shepherd’s Pie

Introduction:

Now that school is starting again (or work for those “grownups” out there) and summer has come to an end, we’re all looking for easy delicious dinner ideas. Let’s be real, if you’re at all like us at TCF, you’re always looking for quick and yummy meal ideas! Potatoes, corn, ground beef – how can you go wrong? Just add a veggie and you’re all set with a soon to be family favorite!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef
• 3-4 large potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ Tbsp onion powder
• ½ Tbsp garlic powder
• ½ Tbsp salt
• ½ Tbsp pepper
• 1 can of corn
• ¼ c milk
• 1 T butter

*This recipe serves 3-4 people. It can easily be scaled up or down. The pictures that follow show a double recipe.

Instructions:

1.) Cut potatoes into bite sized pieces; leave on the skins for some extra flavor and nutrition if you’re cool with that. While you’re at it chop up the onion too.

2.) Place your cut potatoes into a pot of water so that potatoes are just covered by the water. Boil with salt on high heat for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender when stuck with a fork.

3.) While potatoes are cooking, preheat your oven to 350F. In a large frying pan, sautee the onions and ground beef with seasonings (Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper). Cook meat until it is browned throughout. When it’s done, taste test and add more seasonings as needed.

4.) When your potatoes are done boiling, drain the water and get ready to MASH! If you have an electric mixer you can use that, or a plain old hand masher is more than fine too. Add the butter and milk and get mashing/mixing. Continue mashing/mixing until the potatoes reach your desired consistency. You can add in more milk or butter if you need. They should be somewhat creamy, but some lumps are probably okay too. Feel free to mix in some garlic powder to your potatoes too for a tasty addition.

5.) Finally it’s time to combine your ingredients and find out if the total is greater than the sum of the parts. First layer the bottom of an 8×8 pan with the meat. Add the corn on top, trying to make sure it is evenly spread. Lastly come the potatoes! Once you have layered, put the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes (or until you can’t stand the delicious smell anymore and just HAVE to eat). Enjoy 🙂

Printer friendly version can be found over here.

Baked Apple Pancakes

Introduction:

Do you often find yourself looking for something different and delicious for breakfast/dessert? Well look no further! Baked apple pancakes give you a sweet treat that can be enjoyed at ANY TIME OF THE DAY! This little dish was a childhood favorite in Emster’s home; Eric just likes eating them, no back story required. Also, they are a nice way to use up extra apples (hint hint almost time to go apple picking).

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup milk
• 2 T butter
• 1.5 – 2 apples
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ t cinnamon

*This recipe serves 3-4 people and can easily be doubled.

Instructions:

1.) While the oven is preheating to 450F, put two tablespoons of butter into a 9 inch pan and place the pan into the oven to melt the butter. Cut up your apples into thin slices, as thin as you can slice them.

2.) Lightly beat the eggs, and add the flour and milk. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together.

3.) Once the butter is melted, arrange apple slices evenly on the bottom of the hot pan.

4.) Pour the egg mixture on top.

5.) Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the pan.

6.) Put right back into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until eggs are set. Serve immediately. Top with whipped cream or anything else you’d like.

Printer friendly version can be found over here.