One of my favourite shows on daytime TV is “The Chew”. The ABC Daytime’s lifestyle series “The Chew”, centres on food related and lifestyle topics. It is a hosted by Mario Batali, one of the most recognized and respected chefs in America today, alongside fellow restaurateur and “Iron Chef America” star Michael Symon, “Top Chef” alum Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz. 

The show consistently inspires me for my daily dinner solutions. On St. Patrick’s Day this year, Mario Batali composed a shepherd’s pie in one pot cast iron skillet with piped mashed potatoes. Brilliant! One pot and cast iron to boot.

A cast iron skillet/pan Lodge Logic Cast Iron Skillet – 12 Inch – Consiglio’s Kitchenware and Gift is like the LBD (little black dress) of the kitchen. It is my most used kitchen “gadget”, next to my chef knife.

Since I had all the components for this recipe either in my fridge/freezer, I ventured to make my version. I didn’t have to make the mashed potatoes; sweet or Yukon so dinner came together relatively quick.

Tip: Whenever you make mashed potatoes for large holiday events double the amount, and flat pack the extra/leftovers in Ziploc bags, labeled and freeze. Once thaw the potatoes will be a little watery so add some milk and whip up until the right consistency.

St. Patrick’s Day Lighter Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

 Adapted from Shepherd’s Pie Recipe | Michael Symon – The Chew

St. Patrick’s Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients:

Browning the ground turkey and vegetables

• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 pkg. of ground turkey
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2 moons
• 2-3 ribs of celery, chopped
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can of beer, any brand preferably full flavoured
• 3 tablespoons Flour
• 1 cup Chicken Stock
• 1 cup Peas (fresh or frozen)
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
• 3 Yukon gold potatoes (peeled)
• 3 sweet potatoes (peeled)
• 1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
• fresh chopped italian parsley
• 1 cup Olive Oil

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and ground turkey and cook until brown. Add the minced garlic, celery and onions.

Add the carrots, cooking until the vegetables have softened. Deglaze the pan with beer.

Add the flour and cook until the flour has integrated and a wet sand texture. Add the peas and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the sauce comes together and thickens, about 10 minutes.

Simmer for 10 Minutes

Pipe alternating between mashed sweet potatoes and the mashed potatoes over the top of the filling. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place on a baking pan and transfer to the oven.

Piped Sweet and Yukon Mashed Potatoes on top

Broil for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.

Let cool and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Broiled Goodness!

For Both Sweet and Yukon Mashed Potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water by 3 inches. (Cook the 2 kinds of potatoes in separate pots) Bring to a boil and season with salt. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle.

Press the potatoes through a ricer. Whisk in about 1 cup of olive oil. Transfer to a piping bag.