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Maple Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

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This Maple Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is a twist on the classic shepherd’s pie that marries caramelized sweet potatoes with perfectly seasoned beef, creating layers of comfort that will make this your new cold-weather tradition.

Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes Begin with cold water – this ensures the sweet potatoes cook evenly from inside out. Place peeled and chunked sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until a knife slides through easily. Remember: slightly undercooked is better than overcooked, as they’ll continue cooking in the oven.
  2. Master the Meat Filling While the potatoes cook, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The key here is not to overcrowd the pan – work in batches if necessary to achieve proper browning. Once cooked through, drain the beef in a colander, reserving 1 tablespoon of the fat for extra flavor.
  3. Create the Flavor Base In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Add diced onion and cook until translucent and just starting to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes. Add the fresh corn kernels (or drained canned corn) and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal is to develop a golden color and concentrated sweetness. If the mixture starts to stick, add a tablespoon of water as needed.
  4. Perfect the Sweet Potato Topping Drain the cooked sweet potatoes thoroughly and return them to the hot pot. Add 6 tablespoons of butter and the maple syrup. Using an immersion blender (or food processor), blend until perfectly smooth. The immersion blender is crucial here – it creates a silkier texture than mashing alone. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Combine and Layer Return the drained beef to the skillet with the corn-onion mixture. Add creamed corn, smoked paprika, chili powder, celery salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed. Transfer this mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Notes

Find it online: https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/recipe/maple-sweet-potato-shepherds-pie/