Nat's Easy Varoma Shepherd's Pie

My Easy Varoma Shepherd's Pie

I'm always looking for ways to cut the cooking time and use my varoma at the same time, so I prefer to cook our Shepherd's Pie with the potatoes steaming ready for mashing at the same time that the meat mixture is cooking.

This is our version that we cook. Its enough for 5 of us and we usually have second serves! It is very adaptable to what ingredients you have and flavours you like. Think of it more as a technique than a recipe as such. Potato quantity is based on TM31, you can fit more in with Thermomix 5.

It is not a 20 minute meal, but all good things come to those who wait! This will take around 1 hr 15 mins. Can be prepared during the day and reheated/cooked at dinner time. Freezes well.

INGREDIENTS 1 onion 1 garlic clove 2 carrots a few sprigs of fresh herbs such as parsley, rosemary, oregano, or 1 ts dried 30g olive oil 1 tin (400g) tomatoes 100g water 8-10 medium-large potatoes (around 1.3kg) 2 Tb TM veggie stock paste concentrate 30g worcestershire or oyster sauce 1 Tb tomato paste 150g cheese, cut in 2cm pieces 40g butter (optional) 500g steak (partially frozen and 2cm cubes) or pre-minced. You can use more, just see TIPS below optional: 1 tin of drained and rinsed lentils (this bulks out your meal)

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Grate cheese 5 sec speed 6. Set aside, wash and dry bowl If using steak, mince for 10 sec, speed 6 (best to partially freeze for 20 mins) and set aside Chop onion, herbs, carrot and garlic for 5 sec, speed 5. Scrape down Add oil and tomatoes and cook 18 mins, Varoma, speed 2, without MC (Set varoma dish on top and start dicing potatoes, adding to varoma dish as you go and as the sauce is heating up) Remove varoma lid and slide under dish and set aside Put lid on mixing bowl, reset timer for 38 minutes, reverse, speed soft While blades are turning (without MC and varoma in place) slowly add mince mixture through the opening in the lid, then add all other ingredients (stock, paste, water, sauce) Put a large sized casserole dish in the oven to heat up At end of cooking time, transfer meat mixture to casserole dish If using lentils, mix them into the meat mixture in the casserole dish with a fork Transfer potatoes from varoma to TM bowl and mash (with optional butter) for 20-30 seconds, speed 6, using spatula through the lid to mix. (no butterfly used) Pour mashed potato on top of meat mixture and spread evenly Add grated cheese and cook on 200c for 15-20 mins or until cheese is golden  Tips Keep in mind if you add more meat/veggies to the meat mixture you may need to increase the water/liquid volume so that it doesn't stick to the bottom due to the longer cooking time and liquid required for steaming the potatoes.

DISCLAIMER
This recipe was provided to you by a Thermomix ® customer and has not been tested by Vorwerk Thermomix ® or Thermomix ® in Australia and New Zealand.
Vorwerk Thermomix ® and Thermomix ® in Australia and New Zealand assume no liability, particularly in terms of ingredient quantities used and success of the recipes.
Please observe the safety instructions in the Thermomix ® instruction manual at all times.