It's cold. It's rainy. It's the kind of cold that you can't get out of your bones. The perfect weather for comfort food. I love comfort food: crunchy and soft loaves of bread; pastas with every kind of sauce; pounds of butter; bricks of cheese; and that's just one meal! (I kid)
I decided to go sugar free again until Thanksgiving so I had to find some low carb/healthy recipes. Sugar free in the summer time is easy with the abundance of fresh veggies and fruits. So I've spent countless hours scouring the internet, Pinterest, and cook books for things I could modify. I found a picture (no recipe) for shepherd's pie with cauliflower mash instead of potatoes. And then I made it. Yum! Here's the basic jist of what I did:
1 glug EVOO
2-4 shallots, finely diced
2-4 garlic cloves, finely diced
1lb ground hamburger
1/2 of a 1lb bag frozen peas
1/2 of a 1lb bag frozen carrots
1/2 c water
1 head cauliflower
1/4 cup cream cheese
1 tsp wasabi paste
(I don't measure spices, so use your discretion or if in doubt go 1/8 tsp and taste, taste, taste!!) (You can season with anything you like. I just start adding, taste and add more. Here's what I remember using:
salt
pepper
chili pepper
Penzy's Forward spice
Old Bay Original spice
garlic powder
Penzy's Chicago Pepper blend
truffle salt (totally got lost in it all)
Cut the cauliflower into florets. Place in microwave safe bowl. Cover with saran wrap. Microwave on high 5-8 minutes or until cauliflower is fully steamed and soft to the touch.
While the cauliflower is steaming, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add shallots and garlic. Cook for 2 or so minutes until aromatic. Add the hamburger and cook until brown. Drain excess fat. Add peas, carrots, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer and cover until frozen vegetables are softened (5 minutes). Add remaining spices, stir well. Remove from heat.
To finish off the mashed cauliflower, add cream cheese and mash florets with potato masher or immersion blender. Mash until consistency resembles mashed potatoes. Stir in wasabi and pinch of salt.
Spread mashed cauliflower over hamburger/veggies in an even layer. Place under broiler on medium until top slightly browns (5 mins).
And voila! Low Carb Shepherd's Pie. So perfect on a cold and rainy night!
