Argentine beef shepherd's pie (Pastel de papa)

Pastel de papa is always made with beef and often hardboiled eggs or olives are added. The addition of chorizo here is not traditional, but it gives the meat a smoky boost.

Credit: Rachel Tolosa Paz

• serves

  8

• prep

  15 minutes

• cook

  1:30 hour

• difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 200 g (7 oz) fresh chorizo, diced
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 small red capsicum (bell pepper), diced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced (ground) beef
• 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
• 375 ml (12½ fl oz/1½ cups) beef stock
• 2 tbsp tomato sauce (ketchup)
• freshly ground black pepper, to serve

Mashed potato topping

• 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz) floury potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks
• sea salt
• 100 g (3½ oz) butter
• 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) full-cream (whole) milk
• 2 egg yolks, beaten

Instructions

1. To make the mashed potato topping, place the potato in a large saucepan, cover with cold water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to the boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, until tender. Drain well, then tip the potato back into the pan and add the butter, milk and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Mash until well combined, then use a wooden spoon to beat the potato until it is completely smooth. Pour in the beaten egg yolks and continue to beat until well combined and silky. Set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chorizo and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the colour from the chorizo leaches out into the oil. Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes, then add the garlic, carrot, celery and capsicum and cook for 4–5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Stir through the cumin, paprika, oregano and salt and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the spices become aromatic. Add the mince and cook, breaking up any large pieces with a wooden spoon, for 8–10 minutes, until browned. Sprinkle the flour over the mince, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute, allowing the flour to absorb any excess liquid in the pan. Pour in the stock and tomato sauce and stir well to remove any stuck-on bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to the boil and cook for 4–5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Transfer to a 3-litre (101 fl oz/12 cup) capacity baking dish.

3. Top with the mashed potato and smooth the surface. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Serve hot with freshly ground black pepper.

Recipe from The Food of Argentina by Ross Dobson and Rachel Tolosa Paz, Smith Street Books, RRP $44.99

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.