Shepherd's pie with turkey

A rich and flavorful pie for the whole family.

Materials

For the mashed potatoes

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 3 kilos of potatoes, peeled and diced

• 2 bay leaves

• ½ cup salted butter, softened

• ¾ cup whole milk, warmed

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the filling

• ½ cup salted butter, cut into pieces

• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)

• 2 celery stalks, cut into ¼ inch pieces

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (optional)

• ¾ cup whole milk, (warmed)

• 1 ½ cup chicken broth, (warmed)

• 1 cup frozen green beans

• 3 cups chopped cooked turkey or chicken

• Parsley, chopped, (optional)

Step by step process
 

1. For the mashed potatoes. Fill a large pot with water. Add the salt, potatoes, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until fork tender but not falling apart, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the turkey stuffing. In a large, deep, ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme to create a thick paste.
3. Slowly stir in the milk. Once the milk is fully incorporated, slowly stir in the chicken stock. Simmer, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the green beans and turkey (or chicken).
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C with a rack in the middle position.
5. Drain the potatoes. Return the potatoes to the pot and return the pot to low heat. Remove the bay leaves.
6. Use a spatula or potato masher to mash the potatoes. Add ½ cup softened butter and ¾ cup warm milk, stirring quickly until incorporated. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Spread the mashed potatoes over the turkey filling. Bake until lightly browned and the filling is puffed up, about 30 minutes.

Note
If you don't have a fireproof pan or baking dish, you can use a regular frying pan for cooking over the fire and transfer the filling to a baking sheet to finish in the oven.

Enjoy your meal!