Acorn Shepherds Pie Recipes

SHEPHERD'S PIE IN A HALF-ROASTED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large pan over medium heat, add oil and onion. Saute onion until soft, but not brown. Add ground lamb to pan and continue cooking for 12 minutes or until cooked through and browned. Season with salt and pepper. In a separate, small pan over medium low heat add 2 tablespoons butter and corn kernels. Cook for 3 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut butternut squash in half and place skin side down on a baking pan. Roast the butternut squash for approximately 40 minutes at 400 degrees F or until very soft. When finished, cool slightly and scoop out meat from the skin with a large spoon. In a bowl, mash the butternut squash and add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper, place aside.
• Peel potatoes and place in a large pot. Add enough cold water to cover potatoes by 1 inch. Put pot, covered over high heat and bring to a boil until a thin bladed knife or toothpick can be inserted easily, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes with 4 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 sour cream. Season with salt and pepper and put aside.
• Cut acorn squash in half the long way and remove seeds with a spoon. Cut a small piece off the back of the squash so it will lay flat on a baking sheet. Roast cut side up for 40 minutes at 400 degrees F until soft.
• To assemble, place equal amounts of corn in each acorn squash to form the first layer. To create the second and third layers, place a generous amount of ground lamb and butternut squash on top of the corn. Top with mashed potatoes using either a spoon or pastry bag and pipe. Place filled squash on baking sheet pan and roast in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F or until potatoes are browned. Serve hot with brown gravy.

ACORN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet. Roast until soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside four of the halves. Scoop flesh of the remaining two halves into a medium bowl.
• Meanwhile, place potato in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a bare simmer. Cook until tender when pierced with a paring knife, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain; add potato to bowl with squash and mash with a fork until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter; season with salt and pepper.
• Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add celery and garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add beef and oregano, and season with salt and pepper; continue cooking, breaking up beef with a wooden spoon until well browned, about 4 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes.
• Fill each reserved squash half with about 1/2 cup beef mixture; place in a baking dish. Top each half with about 1/3 cup potato mixture and sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake until mixture is heated through and tops just begin to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, let sit for about 5 minutes, and then serve.