Healthy Shepherd's Pie

Step 1

Cover potatoes with cold water in a large pot and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes or until just tender. Drain and mash with ¾ cup broth, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1½ teaspoons salt and several grinds of black pepper, to taste.

Step 2

While potatoes are cooking, preheat oven to 400ºF. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large (preferably cast iron) skillet, over medium heat. Cook lamb (or other ground meat), stirring, until it loses its pinkness. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl and pour off fat from the skillet.

Step 3

Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Cook onions, carrots and bell pepper over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fairly dry and starting to brown, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and zucchini and cook, stirring, for a minute or so. Return lamb to the skillet. Add 1 cup broth, 3 tablespoons tomato paste,  ½ teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper and cayenne to taste, and bay leaf. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the corn and peas and remove from heat. Correct the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if desired.

Step 4

To assemble the pie, use a spatula to smooth out the meat filling in the bottom of the skillet or casserole. Spread the mashed potatoes out evenly on top and use the tines of a fork to make swirly patterns in the potatoes, if you like.

Step 5

Bake, uncovered, in the top third of the oven for 25 minutes, or until heated through and golden brown in spots. Rest casserole for 10-15 minutes. Slice into pieces and serve.