ISO two great recipes
January 3, 2021 3:43 PM Subscribe
The internet is overwhelming me. I'd like give mind recommendations for two recipes.
Hi!
I would like to know your tried and tried best recipes for the following:
Meatloaf
Shepherd's Pie (or preferably Cottage Pie, with beef instead of lamb)
Bonus points if they are simple and dummy proof, because I am not that great of a cook and am easily overwhelmed in the kitchen.
I recently landed a job and my boyfriend is still COVID-unemployed. He has been shouldering the majority of the dinner cooking during the week. I would like to take over the weekend cooking in an effort to give him a break, as he really doesn't enjoy cooking (but is happy to do so since I am working and he's not).
These are both comfort foods for him and I'd like to be able to make them - they are also great winter meals and so the timing is good.
Thanks!
Hi!
I would like to know your tried and tried best recipes for the following:
Meatloaf
Shepherd's Pie (or preferably Cottage Pie, with beef instead of lamb)
Bonus points if they are simple and dummy proof, because I am not that great of a cook and am easily overwhelmed in the kitchen.
I recently landed a job and my boyfriend is still COVID-unemployed. He has been shouldering the majority of the dinner cooking during the week. I would like to take over the weekend cooking in an effort to give him a break, as he really doesn't enjoy cooking (but is happy to do so since I am working and he's not).
These are both comfort foods for him and I'd like to be able to make them - they are also great winter meals and so the timing is good.
Thanks!
This post was deleted for the following reason: posters request -- frimble
I do the aforementioned SE meatloaf and Alton Brown's shepherd's pie. Nice part of the AB recipe is there's a video, or you can find the episode for even more information (it's also dead simple).
posted by General Malaise at 4:04 PM on January 3, 2021
posted by General Malaise at 4:04 PM on January 3, 2021
(P.S. for the ground lamb in AB's recipe, you can easily opt for ground beef and I've even done it with turkey with no problem.)
posted by General Malaise at 4:06 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by General Malaise at 4:06 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
Shepherds pie is my favorite food, and I make it in all variations all the time.
Basically, I start with very finely minced carrot, onion and celery. When minced, I soften these in butter at medium-low heat. When the onion is translucent, I transfer the veg to a plate, then I turn up the heat and put the meat into the pan. When the meat is browned in places (not browned through), and put the veg back, and add a 172 cup of wine or some water and sherry vinegar, depending on what I've got. Then I add a 1/2 cup of pureed tomatoes or a cup of crushed tomatoes, and seasoning to taste; in my case, salt, pepper, thyme, Worcester sauce and crushed garlic. But you decide. Let this simmer at a very low heat.
Meanwhile boil your potatoes, pealed and cut up into bite-sized cubes. When they are soft, pour off all but a tablespoonful of water, and add a very good slice of butter. Wisk till nice and fluffy. Now combine the elements in a dish. Meat sauce first and then mashed potatoes. Smooth the potato layer out, then use a fork to make nice ridges in the mash, and embellish the pie with little butter pats. (you can top with cheese here, but I don't) Bake it all till the ridges are brown on top. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
You can use eggplant instead of meat. And any meat you prefer.
posted by mumimor at 4:06 PM on January 3, 2021 [3 favorites]
Basically, I start with very finely minced carrot, onion and celery. When minced, I soften these in butter at medium-low heat. When the onion is translucent, I transfer the veg to a plate, then I turn up the heat and put the meat into the pan. When the meat is browned in places (not browned through), and put the veg back, and add a 172 cup of wine or some water and sherry vinegar, depending on what I've got. Then I add a 1/2 cup of pureed tomatoes or a cup of crushed tomatoes, and seasoning to taste; in my case, salt, pepper, thyme, Worcester sauce and crushed garlic. But you decide. Let this simmer at a very low heat.
Meanwhile boil your potatoes, pealed and cut up into bite-sized cubes. When they are soft, pour off all but a tablespoonful of water, and add a very good slice of butter. Wisk till nice and fluffy. Now combine the elements in a dish. Meat sauce first and then mashed potatoes. Smooth the potato layer out, then use a fork to make nice ridges in the mash, and embellish the pie with little butter pats. (you can top with cheese here, but I don't) Bake it all till the ridges are brown on top. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
You can use eggplant instead of meat. And any meat you prefer.
posted by mumimor at 4:06 PM on January 3, 2021 [3 favorites]
This looks like a good, simple recipe for a vegan meatloaf.
posted by aniola at 4:18 PM on January 3, 2021
posted by aniola at 4:18 PM on January 3, 2021
One true trick for following a new recipe: Read all the instructions first before you start cooking! This makes it less overwhelming.
posted by aniola at 4:18 PM on January 3, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by aniola at 4:18 PM on January 3, 2021 [2 favorites]
After trying more complex meatloaf recipes, the one I always go back to is the Classic 6-ingredient Meatloaf which uses onion soup mix and ketchup.
The recipe suggests a bit of thyme, sage, and/or Worcestershire sauce if you've got them. I generally don't add them, but do add about 1 teaspoon of pesto and/or 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meat mixture—whatever herb-y thing works for you.
I try to buy Knorr Onion Roasted Garlic soup mix, but whatever is available should be fine.
posted by angiep at 4:19 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
The recipe suggests a bit of thyme, sage, and/or Worcestershire sauce if you've got them. I generally don't add them, but do add about 1 teaspoon of pesto and/or 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meat mixture—whatever herb-y thing works for you.
I try to buy Knorr Onion Roasted Garlic soup mix, but whatever is available should be fine.
posted by angiep at 4:19 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
Ok, no link because it’s my own recipe. No amounts cause I always eyeball.
Hamburger, ground pork or a mix of the two. Two pounds of this.
Dice an onion. Add the onion to a frying pan that has some oil in it. Cook the onion on medium low until it’s soft. I’d you like mushrooms do the same thing as you did with the onion.
Shred a carrot. Finely dice a red pepper.
Put the ground meat, the onion, the pepper, the carrots in a bowl. Add to this a cup of oatmeal. Salt, pepper and one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. If you have the time, make your own Wooster - it’s so much better. Mix all the stuff in the bowl up then transfer to a pan that will fit what what you have. Cook at 375. Start checking to see if it’s ready in 30 minutes. It’ll probably be ready in 45 minutes.
Options to add in when mixing:
Garlic, preferably fresh and as much or as little as you like.
Hot sauce or cayenne powder.
Other finely diced veggies
An egg. Just bust it in and mix it up with the other stuff.
Ketchup on top. I don’t do this but some folks like it. Me, I can add ketchup when it’s plated.
Why does this recipe work? I don’t know but I’m pretty sure that it’s all about the Wooster.
posted by ashbury at 4:23 PM on January 3, 2021
Hamburger, ground pork or a mix of the two. Two pounds of this.
Dice an onion. Add the onion to a frying pan that has some oil in it. Cook the onion on medium low until it’s soft. I’d you like mushrooms do the same thing as you did with the onion.
Shred a carrot. Finely dice a red pepper.
Put the ground meat, the onion, the pepper, the carrots in a bowl. Add to this a cup of oatmeal. Salt, pepper and one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. If you have the time, make your own Wooster - it’s so much better. Mix all the stuff in the bowl up then transfer to a pan that will fit what what you have. Cook at 375. Start checking to see if it’s ready in 30 minutes. It’ll probably be ready in 45 minutes.
Options to add in when mixing:
Garlic, preferably fresh and as much or as little as you like.
Hot sauce or cayenne powder.
Other finely diced veggies
An egg. Just bust it in and mix it up with the other stuff.
Ketchup on top. I don’t do this but some folks like it. Me, I can add ketchup when it’s plated.
Why does this recipe work? I don’t know but I’m pretty sure that it’s all about the Wooster.
posted by ashbury at 4:23 PM on January 3, 2021
I make shepherd's/cottage pie frequently. Usually, I make tacos, and then use the rest of the beef taco filling to make shepherd's pie. Lately, I just make the seasoned beef mix for shepherd's pie.
Preheat the oven to 350.
Meat: ground beef, 1.5 pound or so, browned. Make a space and add a packet of taco seasoning mix (or @ 1.5 Tb. chili powder, @ 1.5 Tb. flour, salt to taste- @ 1.5 tsp.) Let it cook in the pan drippings for a couple minutes, then add 1/2 cup water, stir and simmer for 3 - 5 minutes. 80% ground beef is fine, the fat adds flavor.
While the meat is cooking, Make instant mashed potatoes for 6 - servings, according to the package.
Veg: Combine 1 can creamed corn + 1 can plain corn.
Put the meat in a baking pan, carefully spread on the corn, gently top with mashed potato. Bake @ 30 minutes.
Fancy? Add cheese to the mashed potato and/or sour cream. Maybe jalapeno cheese. Top with cheese so that the cheese gets melty and toasted.
If you prefer green beans as the veg, use them.
I don't eat dairy, so I make the mashed potatoes with broth and vegan spread. I miss cheese.
I always make a lot and freeze some. This is the meal my son usually requests for birthdays.
posted by theora55 at 4:34 PM on January 3, 2021
Preheat the oven to 350.
Meat: ground beef, 1.5 pound or so, browned. Make a space and add a packet of taco seasoning mix (or @ 1.5 Tb. chili powder, @ 1.5 Tb. flour, salt to taste- @ 1.5 tsp.) Let it cook in the pan drippings for a couple minutes, then add 1/2 cup water, stir and simmer for 3 - 5 minutes. 80% ground beef is fine, the fat adds flavor.
While the meat is cooking, Make instant mashed potatoes for 6 - servings, according to the package.
Veg: Combine 1 can creamed corn + 1 can plain corn.
Put the meat in a baking pan, carefully spread on the corn, gently top with mashed potato. Bake @ 30 minutes.
Fancy? Add cheese to the mashed potato and/or sour cream. Maybe jalapeno cheese. Top with cheese so that the cheese gets melty and toasted.
If you prefer green beans as the veg, use them.
I don't eat dairy, so I make the mashed potatoes with broth and vegan spread. I miss cheese.
I always make a lot and freeze some. This is the meal my son usually requests for birthdays.
posted by theora55 at 4:34 PM on January 3, 2021
I have made both of these and they were fine: BBC Good Food cottage pie and BBC Good Food lower-fat cottage pie. I've also made the Guardian's perfect cottage pie which again was fine (maybe difficult to go far wrong with cottage pie?). I would say these are all fairly simple recipes and easy to substitute different vegetables if you prefer.
posted by paduasoy at 4:45 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by paduasoy at 4:45 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
Leftover meatloaf sandwiches with mustard are ridiculously good.
That Alton Brown recipe is likely tasty, but I like the Betty Crocker version as a guide. Meatloaf was invented to use bread to stretch meat.
So, meat, 80% hamburger is fine. You can buy meatloaf mixes, I usually just use beef
plus aromatics - onion, garlic, shallots,
plus bread - use torn up bread, stuffing mix, bread crumbs, matzoh meal, crackers,
plus flavorings - Worcestershire sauce is my favorite, also barbecue sauce, soy sauce,
plus eggs to make it hold together,
plus liquid. I don't eat dairy, so I use chicken broth.
My Mom didn't add carrots or other veg, and neither do I, just onions. Some people top it with bacon, and I love bacon, but the way ketchup caramelizes on top of meatloaf is really great.
posted by theora55 at 4:46 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
That Alton Brown recipe is likely tasty, but I like the Betty Crocker version as a guide. Meatloaf was invented to use bread to stretch meat.
So, meat, 80% hamburger is fine. You can buy meatloaf mixes, I usually just use beef
plus aromatics - onion, garlic, shallots,
plus bread - use torn up bread, stuffing mix, bread crumbs, matzoh meal, crackers,
plus flavorings - Worcestershire sauce is my favorite, also barbecue sauce, soy sauce,
plus eggs to make it hold together,
plus liquid. I don't eat dairy, so I use chicken broth.
My Mom didn't add carrots or other veg, and neither do I, just onions. Some people top it with bacon, and I love bacon, but the way ketchup caramelizes on top of meatloaf is really great.
posted by theora55 at 4:46 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
I never make meatloaf the exact same way twice. I don't use a recipe so much as I use, well, a general plan?
Sort of what theora55 describes.
An egg to make it stick. If it's a LOT of meatloaf, maybe two.
Meat - ground meat, usually hamburger. But it's entirely possible I'll add leftover sausage, bacon, finely chopped lunch meat... I've tried just about everything.
Bread-like stuff. If it's really moist, you might want to toast it. Literally any kind of bread, rolls, buns, English muffins, regular muffins, crackers, cereal, donuts, a cinnamon roll. Ritz crackers are a favorite. A couple - or several - different types is the norm for me.
Liquid. Again, multiple is normal. Ketchup, milk, BBQ sauce, mustard, applesauce, A1 sauce, juice, beer... whatever.
Seasonings if desired. Seriously, whatever appeals to you.
Veggies (or fruit) if desired. (Finely diced apple or pear is yummy.)
Some days it's what sounded good. Other days it's what is leftover or I have on hand.
Once you find a basic recipe you like, don't be afraid to at least make small adaptions to it. Meatloaf is pretty flexible to make and difficult to really mess up.
posted by stormyteal at 5:36 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
Sort of what theora55 describes.
An egg to make it stick. If it's a LOT of meatloaf, maybe two.
Meat - ground meat, usually hamburger. But it's entirely possible I'll add leftover sausage, bacon, finely chopped lunch meat... I've tried just about everything.
Bread-like stuff. If it's really moist, you might want to toast it. Literally any kind of bread, rolls, buns, English muffins, regular muffins, crackers, cereal, donuts, a cinnamon roll. Ritz crackers are a favorite. A couple - or several - different types is the norm for me.
Liquid. Again, multiple is normal. Ketchup, milk, BBQ sauce, mustard, applesauce, A1 sauce, juice, beer... whatever.
Seasonings if desired. Seriously, whatever appeals to you.
Veggies (or fruit) if desired. (Finely diced apple or pear is yummy.)
Some days it's what sounded good. Other days it's what is leftover or I have on hand.
Once you find a basic recipe you like, don't be afraid to at least make small adaptions to it. Meatloaf is pretty flexible to make and difficult to really mess up.
posted by stormyteal at 5:36 PM on January 3, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've never had much success with it, and at some point I hope to find a meatloaf recipe that works for me, but I've always cooked Nixon's meatloaf. Way more effort than it's worth, but certainly something to try once.
posted by I paid money to offer this... insight? at 9:27 PM on January 3, 2021
posted by I paid money to offer this... insight? at 9:27 PM on January 3, 2021
I hope you will report back, would love to hear how it goes.
Your question reminded me oh how much I like making individual portions of shepherd's pie or in muffin tins; they freeze well and are great to have in the freezer.
posted by theora55 at 8:04 AM on January 4, 2021
Your question reminded me oh how much I like making individual portions of shepherd's pie or in muffin tins; they freeze well and are great to have in the freezer.
posted by theora55 at 8:04 AM on January 4, 2021
This is more of a side-hack, but if you or your boyfriend can make it to a grocery story store during normal business hours any decent meat counter will grind up a meat combination to your specifications. It will blow pre-ground meat out of the water.
posted by East14thTaco at 8:25 AM on January 4, 2021
posted by East14thTaco at 8:25 AM on January 4, 2021
I make this gran luchito Mexican shepherds pie. I swap out the lamb mince for beef. You don’t have to use the branded ingredients, any chipotle paste will do. I add whatever veggies I have on hand - corn, peppers, pickles whatevs.
It’s taken cottage/shepherds pie (which I grew up with and considered boring) up a whole notch for me.
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 11:59 PM on January 4, 2021
It’s taken cottage/shepherds pie (which I grew up with and considered boring) up a whole notch for me.
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 11:59 PM on January 4, 2021
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posted by supercres at 3:52 PM on January 3, 2021