Delicious Easy Shepherd'S Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups mashed potatoes, made from instant mashed potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 1/2 lbs ground chuck or 2 1/2 lbs ground sirloin, not too lean but not too fatty
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups beef stock
1 (8 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas and carrots
1 cup frozen pearl onions
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Unwrap frozen peas & carrots and place box on paper towel in microwave oven, cook for 5 minutes to thaw and drain on the towel.
In nice sized pan over medium heat, add the oil to coat the pan.
Add meat, garlic, onions & bay leaves.
Season with a little Salt & Pepper.
When the meat is browned, sprinkle with flour and stir while cooking for 3-4 more minutes.
Stir in beef broth and cook for 2 minutes until mixture starts to thicken.
Add peas & carrots, parsley & tomatoes.
If needed you may want to cook down a little uncovered if it seems \"too juicy\".
Remove the bay leaves.
Spoon evenly in sprayed 9 x 13 pan and cover with mashed potatoes & dot with butter.
Bake 350F oven for 30 minutes or until potatoes are nice and golden.
**A TIP FOR LOWER FAT IS TO RINSE & DRAIN BROWNED MEAT WITH HOT-HOT WATER BEFORE ADDING BEEF STOCK**.