Shepherd’s pie is a satisfying British casserole traditionally made with ground lamb and topped with mashed potatoes. This updated version features milder-tasting ground kudu with a crown of mashed cauliflower for a lighter take on the wintery comfort food. Lean ground beef, ostrich or dark meat turkey can be substituted for the kudu. I tried it with ground ostrich and it was a great success with all in the household.
Ingredients
For the topping
1 large (680 grams) head cauliflower, cut into 5cm florets
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) sea salt
For the filling
453 grams ground kudu
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 heaping tablespoon (15 ml) tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon (3.75 ml) dried thyme
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
Black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup (60 ml) Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
METHOD
For the topping
- Steam the cauliflower over boiling water until very tender, 10–12 minutes.
- Drain and place in a food processor. Add the olive oil, nutmeg and salt, and process until smooth. Set aside.
For the filling
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Heat a large oven-proof sauté pan sprayed with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking up meat with a spatula, until browned, 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Return the sauté pan to medium-high heat and add the oil. Add the mushrooms, onions, carrots and thyme and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook until it begins to brown, 1 minute.
- Add the broth and meat and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, 3 minutes.
- Season with pepper to taste.
- Remove the pan from heat. Gently spoon the cauliflower over the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake until bubbly around the edges, 20 minutes.
- Switch on the broiler and broil until the topping is lightly browned (2 minutes), if desired.
Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 375; Total Fat: 17.4g; Saturated Fat: 5.5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 8.7g; Cholesterol: 98mg; Sodium: 716mg; Carbohydrate: 22.7g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 10.1g; Protein: 33.5g
