Easy Shepherd's Pie (Beef And/or Lamb Combo)

• 1 cup beef stock or broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese (or sour cream)
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish
• 2 teaspoons thyme (fresh or dried)
• 1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb*
• 1/2 cup 1%% milk (or heavy cream for richer flavor)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup to 1 frozen peas, a couple of handfuls
• 2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, eyeball it

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes.

2. 2

   Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl.

3. 3

   Combine cream cheese (or sour cream), egg yolk and milk (or heavy cream).

4. 4

   Add the cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth.While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.

5. 5

   Add oil to hot pan with beef and/or lamb.Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. If you are using lamb and the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings.

6. 6

   Add chopped carrot* and onion to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.NOTE:*by finely chopping the carrots, they will cook a little faster.

7. 7

   Add the thyme.OPTIONAL

8. 8

   Add the tomato paste, which gives the meat filling a richer flavor.In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes.

9. 9

   Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute.

10. 10

    Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.Preheat broiler to high.Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly.Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned. Top casserole dish with chopped parsley and serve