Shepherd's Pie more healthy? Yep!
One of my fave comfort foods, and I figured out how to make it low carb.
I like it, the hubby likes it, and the kiddos like it.
Hope you will try it and like it, too!
It has a few steps, but it isn't really hard.
You will need:
- 2 16 oz bags of frozen cauliflower
- About 1/4 cup melted butter
- About 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 lb ground beef/venison
- 2 Tbsp dried diced onion (or you could use fresh)
- Heinz Homestyle Savory Beef Gravy
- 1 16 oz bag frozen California Blend veggies
- About 1 cup shredded cheese
Now, here's what you do.
Step One:
First prepare 2 servings of Fauxtatoes.
Fauxtatoes are frozen cauliflower, steamed (covered) in the microwave in about 1 inch water for around 18 minutes, or until very soft (start Step Two, below). After steaming, drain all the water out, add butter, cream, and salt to taste. Let the butter melt, then use a stick blender to blend it into the consistency of mashed potatoes. Taste it and add more butter or salt to your liking.
Step Two:
While they cauliflower is microwaving, start browning your beef/venison with the onion. When done, drain the grease off.
Step Three:
Add the Cali veggie mix and put a lid on so they will get soft.
After they've softened a bit, pour in the whole jar of gravy and heat through.
Step Four:
Layer it!
Put the meat/gravy/veggie mixture in the bottom of the dish. (Use a 9x13 glass pan or an extra-large Corningware dish, like me.)
Then smooth the prepared Fauxtatoes on top.
Sprinkle your choice of shredded cheese over that.
Step Five:
Pop it back in the microwave and microwave till the cheese is melted (about 3-5 minutes).
Step Six:
Drool. Then hurry up and dish some out!
If you don't tell the family that it's fauxtatoes, they may not even notice the difference.
Mmmmmmm!
Note: The jarred gravy is not the lowest carb thing out there (4 carbs for 1/4 cup), but when you've mixed it into the whole dish, you really don't get that much per serving. If you are being really strict with carbs, you could most likely get away with using only half the jar and cut carbs even further.
