Cottage Pie Topped with Fresh Herbs

It’s cold outside! Warm up with this comforting classic made safer with just starch (either tapioca or corn starch) and water to thicken the gravy.

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Recipe:
3-4 cups (22 oz), leftover or fresh-made dairy-free garlic mashed potatoes. (Cook potatoes and garlic cloves until soft. Drain only half of the cooking water. Mash, adding salt amd garlic powder to taste.)
1/4 cup (2 oz) chopped fresh thyme and parsley or cilantro (set aside).
1 pound (8 oz.) ground beef
1 med onion, minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (16 oz) baby carrots
1 Tablespoon of corn or tapioca starch mixed with 1 cup of water.
1 teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, and italian seasoning
1 Tablespoon of steak sauce (most steak sauces are safe but check ingredients to be sure they are safe for you, if not, replace with either 1 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce or 1 Tbsp of tomato paste with a dash of cider vinegar)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over med-high heat, brown ground beef and onions together.
When beef is browned, add garlic and carrots and sauté for 1 minute. (Carrots will mostly cook in oven).
Add seasonings and the starch mixed with water. If too thick, add more water, 1/2 cup at a time until desired consistency.
Add steak sauce, stir, and pour mixture into an 8×8 baking dish.
Taste to make sure you seasoned it to your liking.
Top with mashed potatoes.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Take out of the oven and sprinkle fresh herbs and fresh cracked pepper on top.

Recipe can be doubled for more than 3-4 people.