AnchorMommy

Fall Recipe Series: Shepherd’s Pie from Living Senses

September 16, 2009 by Shannon

I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend Heather of Living Senses. Heather and I go way back — we first met in junior high — and our friendship has taken a variety of twists and turns. In short, we have fallen in and out of touch for more than 15 years. You know how that goes…you don’t mean to lose track of someone, but before you know it life and busyness get in the way. Lucky for me, I discovered Heather’s blog, Living Senses, about a year ago and I treasured having a way to stay in touch with her.

Heather was also absolutely instrumental in helping me navigate one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching decisions of my life — the decision to become a stay-at-home mom. I was terrified of becoming a one-income household and losing my identity as a professional. But I was equally terrified of looking back on my life and realizing I’d missed some of the most important moments in Kellan’s life. As I contemplated the change, I asked for Heather’s advice. She went through a similar situation after the birth of her second child, and she was one of the few women I knew that had been both a working mother of young children AND a stay-at-home mom. Her words still bring me to tears because they were so thoughtful and honest. She was straightforward about the tradeoffs and challenges of staying home, but she NEVER told me to do one thing or the other. Instead, she told me, “You’ll know when it’s time to make a decision and be at peace with it.” She was right — that time came, and I am now at peace. And I am forever grateful to this wise and honest friend.

Now, I’d like you to meet Heather:

Heather of Living Senses

Why did you start your blog? When I first started writing my blog 3 years ago I did it to keep in touch with far away friends. It wasn’t long before I realized the other wonderful perks of blogging. I love how my blog connects me to such a vast, creative community of other like minded women. I also rely on my blog to keep a record of the things I want to remember forever. Journaling on paper just never worked for me, but being able to post photographs and journal entries instantly is so rewarding. Staying in touch with far away friends is still an added benefit!

What do you love about cooking? Cooking is a great way for me to connect with my family. We always make a point of sitting down for at least one meal a day together. I also love seasonal produce and fresh, homemade food. Cooking with the food I buy at my local farmer’s market gives me such a sense of satisfaction. From rhubarb crisp in the spring to shepherd’s pie late summer to pumpkin soup in the fall…I never tire of what the season has to offer.

What is your favorite thing about fall? Pumpkin everything, the smell of the air, the colors, and getting ready to cozy up for winter.

And let me tell you — Heather knows a thing or two about the art of coziness. As she says on her Etsy shop page, she celebrates color and texture “through the seasons and the five senses.” She posted the following recipe on Living Senses as part of her Keep Me In The Craft Room Casserole Series — a collection of recipes that are easy, filling and don’t keep her in the kitchen too long.

Photo courtesy Living Senses

Shepherd’s Pie

• 12-15 small red potatoes, scrubbed, boiled and mashed
• 1 lb. ground beef (AnchorMommy note: To vegetarianize this dish, swap out the beef for 2 cups of texturized vegetable protein, or TVP, soaked in 1 3/4 cup of very hot water)
• 2 cups green beans
• 3-4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese

1. Once you have your potatoes scrubbed and boiling start on the filling.
2. Brown 1 pound ground beef (or TVP).
3. Add carrots and sauce and simmer until carrots are almost soft.
4. Add green beans and simmer until beans are just undercooked.
5. Drain and mash potatoes.
6. Pour ground beef (or TVP) and veggie filling into a casserole dish.
7. Top veggie mixture with potatoes.
8. Top potatoes with cheese.
9. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes just to warm through and melt the cheese.
10. Enjoy with a salad and crusty bread!

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I love a good Shepherd’s Pie, and this one sounds delightful! Thank you, Heather!

Click here to see who will be sharing a recipe with us tomorrow, and here for yesterday’s recipe!