Greek-Style Shepherd's Pie w/Briam

Ingredients

• For the mashed potatoes:
• • 2 and 1/2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cubed
• • 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk, lukewarm
• • 4 tablespoons butter
• • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• • Salt and black pepper, to taste
• For the meat sauce:
• • 2 pounds ground meat (beef, chicken, lamb)
• • 1 eggplant, peeled and diced and seasoned with salt
• • 1 small onion, finely chopped
• • 1/4 cup olive oil
• • 6 garlic cloves, grated
• • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, pureed
• • Salt and black pepper, to taste
• • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• • 1-2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
• For the Vegetable (Briam) Layer:
• • 1 zucchini, diced
• • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• • 1 bell pepper, diced
• • 2 garlic cloves, grated
• • 1 cup canned tomatoes, pureed
• • 5 ounces (142 g) spinach, roughly chopped
• • Salt and pepper, to taste
• • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• • Pinch of sugar, if needed
• • 1-2 cups frozen or canned corn
• • 1 teaspoon dried crushed oregano
• • 4 ounces (113 g) feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 425 °F, 220 °C.

2. 2

   Make the Mashed Potatoes:

3. 3

   Place potatoes in a pot and cover with...: Place potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Season with 1-2 teaspoons of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until fork-tender. Drain the water and mash the potatoes.

4. 4

   Add the butter and mash until it is...: Add the butter and mash until it is absorbed. Then slowly add the milk. Mix until smooth.

5. 5

   Season with salt and black pepper.

6. 6

   Note: You can make the mashed potatoes 2...: Note: You can make the mashed potatoes 2 ways: add just enough milk until they are at the consistency that you like. Or, add all of the milk and then cook the mixture over medium heat until thickened (bechamel sauce texture). It’s up to you.

7. 7

   Add the parmesan cheese and mix it all...: Add the parmesan cheese and mix it all together then, set it aside.

8. 8

   Make the meat filling:

9. 9

   Cook the onions with the olive oil over...: Cook the onions with the olive oil over medium heat until soft and golden. About 8 minutes. Add the garlic and warm through about 20 seconds.

10. 10

    Add the ground meat and cook for 3-4...: Add the ground meat and cook for 3-4 minutes.

11. 11

    Pat the eggplant pieces dry and add to...: Pat the eggplant pieces dry and add to the meat.

12. 12

    Add the seasonings and the pureed tomatoes. Cook...: Add the seasonings and the pureed tomatoes. Cook over medium heat until the eggplant is soft and mushy, and the sauce is thick. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley and set aside.

13. 13

    Make the Vegetable (Briam) Layer:

14. 14

    Cook the onions with olive oil over medium...: Cook the onions with olive oil over medium heat until soft. About 5 minutes.

15. 15

    Add the garlic, bell peppers, and zucchini.

16. 16

    Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for...: Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 more minutes.

17. 17

    Add the tomato puree and cook until the...: Add the tomato puree and cook until the vegetables are soft, and the sauce thickens.

18. 18

    Add the spinach and cook until wilted.

19. 19

    Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add sugar...: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add sugar if the sauce is too acidic.

20. 20

    Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie:

21. 21

    Place the Briam (vegetable) layer in the bottom...: Place the Briam (vegetable) layer in the bottom of a 9 by 13 by a 3-inch baking pan. Add some corn, if desired. Crumble some feta cheese on top.

22. 22

    Spread the meat sauce over the vegetables and...: Spread the meat sauce over the vegetables and feta cheese.

23. 23

    Top with the mashed potatoes and spread.

24. 24

    Bake on the center rack of your preheated...: Bake on the center rack of your preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden.

25. 25

    You may turn the broiler element on for...: You may turn the broiler element on for 4-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it so that it does not burn.

26. 26

    Set aside and allow it to set for...: Set aside and allow it to set for at least 30 minutes.

27. 27

    Serve!