Creamy Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Bacon

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped )
• 3 - 4 garlic cloves (chopped)
• 226 g brown mushrooms (8 oz, chopped)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp cornstarch (also known as cornflour)
• 2 cup milk (or half and half for a creamier version)
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup stock (or water or leftover gravy)
• 1 lb leftover cooked turkey (cut into cubes/chunks)
• 2 1/2 cups leftover roasted vegetables (chopped (I use roasted carrots and frozen peas))
• 1/2 cup left over ham (cubed (optional))
• Salt to taste
• More stock/water to thin it out if needed
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups creamy mashed potatoes
• 1 - 2 serrano/jalapeno peppers (chopped (deseeded if you prefer less heat))
• 1 1/2 cups pepper jack cheese (shredded )
• 4 strips of bacon (chopped and cooked)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Turkey Filling ---

2. 2

   Place 2 - 3 tbsp of oil or butter in a large pot and heat over medium heat.

3. 3

   Add the onions and garlic and saute to soften the onions. Add the mushrooms, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper and sugar, and saute the mushrooms until they soften.

4. 4

   Dissolve the cornstarch in the milk and add it to the mushroom mixture, along with stock and leftover turkey and ham.

5. 5

   Let the liquid simmer (uncovered), until it thickens. While the turkey filling is being cooked, preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C.

6. 6

   When the turkey filling has thickened and is creamy, add the vegetables and simmer until the vegetables are heated through. If the filling is too thick, add more stock/water to thin it out.

7. 7

   Season to taste.

8. 8

   Transfer the filling to a buttered, oven-proof dish and get the mashed potato topping ready.

9. 9

   --- Bacon and Cheese Mashed Potatoes ---

10. 10

    Place the leftover mashed potatoes in a bowl. Add half of the shredded cheese, chopped jalapeno, chopped bacon, and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

11. 11

    Set aside until the filling is ready.

12. 12

    --- Assembly ---

13. 13

    Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the turkey filling.

14. 14

    Dollop the prepared mashed potato mix over the turkey filling and carefully spread it evenly.

15. 15

    Use a fork to create a grooved pattern on the surface (as seen in the pictures in the post).

16. 16

    Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the mashed potatoes start to caramelize and turn golden brown and the filling is bubbling along the edges.

17. 17

    Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

18. 18

    Serve warm.