Cowboy Pie

Tonight's dinner started out as a panic as I searched my nearly bare fridge and pantry for something to pair with the ground beef I'd thawed; however with some genius (if I do say so myself) alterations to a tried and true favorite it ended up a masterpiece so I thought I would share the recipe... I'm calling it Cowboy Pie - it's my version of Shepherd's Pie but with more kick to it, not knocking Shepherd's Pie because I do love the original version in all it's comfort and glory too!

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef

1 pkg mini potatoes

1/4 cup Budweiser BBQ sauce

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Seasoning Salt (I like Hy's)

Ground pepper

1 cup corn (frozen)

1 carrot (peeled and grated)

1 tbsp margarine

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp paprika

1 cup grated cheese

Preheat oven to 350.

Brown the beef in a large frying pan, add the seasoning salt, pepper, worcestershire sauce, grated carrot, and BBQ sauce. Allow to simmer for a few minutes over low heat then add in corn.

Boil potatoes in a separate pot, when ready drain liquids and mash. Add margarine and milk and mix together.

Transfer beef mixture into a baking dish and top with potatoes. Sprinkle the paprika over the potatoes and bake in oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and top with grated cheese, bake for another 5 minutes.

I've recently started to add ground carrot to many beef recipes; it's a good way to sneak some veggies in there if you have picky eaters but it also adds another dimension of flavour to your dish.

Also, as with any recipe, make it your own and add whatever you have on hand and don't be afraid to try something different... most of my favourite go to's are creations I've made up due to not having something on hand that a recipe called for in the first place!