Skillet Shepherd's Pie

Some of the buzz words floating around the food industry this year are bugs as meal options and "drynuary," but that's just crazy talk and we're going to pretend we didn't read that. Along with those ideas we'll also be seeing carbs make a comeback, natural sweeteners, craft beverages, and pulses. "What are pulses," you ask? Apparently they're not a 90s dance craze enjoying a resurgence, which is too bad because I was quite good at the Elaine Dance.

But, whatever.

The United Nations declared 2016 International Year of Pulses, and this translates into more chickpeas, lentils, beans, and peas in recipes and at restaurants. All the things we loved to hate when we were small and sticking things up our nose, but which we've since realized form the basis for some amazing recipes. Hummus, anyone?

In order to up the health factor of a favourite comfort meal, I added chickpeas and 100% of the locals loved it. The chickpeas add a nice texture, along with the carrots, so that this Shepherd's Pie satisfies the taste buds and a desire for something crunchy.

One-pan skillet Shepherd's Pie made with lean beef, chickpeas, carrots, and peas makes this a healthier alternative to a family favourite.

Ingredients

500 grams lean ground beef

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or other vegetable oil)

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 540 mL can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup frozen peas

2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 cup beef stock

1 teaspoon each of fresh thyme and rosemary, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

Mashed Potatoes

2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 - 1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F.

Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet on the stove, over medium heat and add onions. Once onions are softened add meat and break apart.

One-pan skillet Shepherd's Pie made with lean beef, chickpeas, carrots, and peas makes this a healthier alternative to a family favourite.

*** While beef is cooking, place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Cook over medium to high heat until soft. Drain water, keeping back approximately 1/3 cup of potato water for flavour. Mash potatoes and add butter, milk, and salt. Stir until all the ingredients are well-blended.

Once the meat is almost cooked through add thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and cumin and stir.

Add in chickpeas, peas, carrots, garlic, and beef stock and stir. Allow to simmer for another 5 minutes.

One-pan skillet Shepherd's Pie made with lean beef, chickpeas, carrots, and peas makes this a healthier alternative to a family favourite.

Remove from heat and top with mashed potatoes, drawing fork across to make marks that will brown. Place the skillet in oven on the middle rack and cook for 30 minutes.

One-pan skillet Shepherd's Pie made with lean beef, chickpeas, carrots, and peas makes this a healthier alternative to a family favourite.