Shepherd's casserole for a cold night

One dish, the whole table fed. The kind of supper that waits for late arrivals.

This Shepherd's Casserole is a testament to the versatility and adaptability of classic dishes. By playing with textures and layers and introducing different vegetables and spices, we create a dish that is as comforting as it is tasty. In our house, a pie was not big enough to satisfy some hearty appetites, so I pulled all the ingredients together, added some of our Puerto Rican spices and seasonings, and made it into a casserole with a Latin twist. Enjoy the warmth and richness of this delightful casserole; a fusion of flavors, a dish that feeds the body relaxes the soul.

§ Ingredients

Yields 6–8 servings

• 2 pounds of ground lamb (or beef for Cottage Pie)
• 6 large potatoes (1 ½ to 2 pounds), peeled and quartered
• ¼ pound butter divided
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 ½ cups)
• 2 cloves of garlic finely diced
• 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables (e.g., diced carrots, corn, or peas)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons rosemary
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 2 teaspoons finely diced cilantro
• I also add ¼ cup of Adobo
• ¼ cup of mojo
• ½ cup beef broth

§ Instructions · Let's get cooking

1. 01Season the lamb to taste evenly, mixing in the aromatics
2. 02Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes.
3. 03Set your oven to 350°F.
4. 04Melt half the butter and cook the onions until tender.
5. 05If using fresh vegetables, cook the carrots with the onions, they take longer to cook.
6. 06Once the onions are tender you can add the seasoned ground lamb to the pan, cooking until it's no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
7. 07Stir in Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, simmering for 10 minutes.
8. 08Mash the cooked potatoes with the remaining butter, seasoning with salt.
9. 09Spray a 9" x13" baking dish with cooking spray (butter or olive oil work best)
10. 10Coat the bottom of the pan with the meat mixture and smooth evenly.
11. 11Cover the meat with the mashed potatoes
12. 12Smoothen the potatoes, creating a design if desired.
13. 13Sprinkle with shredded cheese (Cheddar or Monterrey Mix)
14. 14Sprinkle with Parmesan.
15. 15Bake in the oven at 350°F until lightly browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes.

¡Buen provecho! Y'all enjoy now!