Shepherds Pie Style Stuffed Zucchini Recipes

Steps:

• In a large skillet set over high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil until very hot. Add the lamb, season it lightly with salt and pepper and cook, stirring and breaking up the chunks of meat, until lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the lamb from the skillet, drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the zucchini in half, lengthwise, and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from its center, leaving "boats" with sides that are about 1/3 of an inch thick. Place the boats in a large roasting pan and set aside. Dice the zucchini flesh and set it aside.
• Return the skillet in which the lamb has cooked to medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil, the diced zucchini flesh, onions, garlic, thyme, coriander and cinnamon. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and cook until all the liquid has evaporated. Add the lamb and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the zucchini boats with salt and divide the lamb mixture between the boats, packing it gently in and mounding slightly if necessary. Cover the top of each boat with a layer of mashed potatoes and dust with bread crumbs. Pour the chicken stock into the roasting pan, being careful not to wet the tops of the zucchini. Bake until the boats are soft and the potatoes are browned on top, about 40 minutes. Remove from the pan and serve.

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil over high heat. Add potatoes to boiling water and boil for about 15 to 20 minutes, until soft; a knife should go in with almost no resistance.
• In a small saucepan or a microwave oven, heat 6 tablespoons of the butter and milk together until butter melts. Drain potatoes well and return to pot. Using a masher or a ricer, mash hot potatoes until smooth. Mix in the hot butter mixture, just until blended. Stir in the Cheddar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large oven-safe skillet with high sides or an enameled cast-iron braiser (at least 2 1/2-quart capacity) over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, thyme and rosemary and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the onions are translucent and the carrots are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add the beef and the lamb and cook, breaking the meat up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. (At this point, you can drain off some of the excess fat if you like.) Season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the tomato paste and stir, cooking until it is well combined, another 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook for 1 minute. Add the beef stock and cook, stirring, until the liquid has thickened slightly. Stir in the parsley and remove the thyme and rosemary stems. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Top the meat mixture with dollops of the mashed potatoes then spread them out over the top. (Or transfer the meat mixture to a 3-quart casserole dish and spread into an even layer, and top with potatoes.) Transfer to the oven and, if the mixture is at the top edges of your pan, set a foil-lined baking sheet underneath the pan to catch any drips. Bake the pie until the potatoes have begun to brown and the edges are bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Heat oil in large fry pan over medium heat. Saute onion, red pepper, and garlic 3 minutes. Add zucchini and beef, breaking up beef with spoon. Cook stirring often, until meat loses red color (4 minutes). Stir in half the cheddar cheese, 1 t. salt, basil, and pepper. Reserve.
• Preheat oven to 450. Lightly grease 9 x 13 casserole. Bring water, milk, and 1 t. salt to boil. Stir in potato flakes; then beat in egg and rest of cheese. Remove from heat.
• Spread half of potato mixture in bottom of casserole. Spoon meat mixture over potatoes; spoon rest of potatoes on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 450 for 15 minutes. Broil for 3-5 to brown top; then let sit 5 minutes before cutting. (If made ahead, heat for 30 minutes at 350 or until center is warm. Then heat at 450 for 15 minutes to brown the top.).