Pub-Style Shepherd’s Pie

• Place potatoes in a medium pot with enough salted water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain and return potatoes to pot. • Mash potatoes with sour cream, 2 TBSP butter, and 1 tsp chopped thyme until smooth and creamy, adding splashes of water as needed. Season generously with salt and pepper. • 4 SERVINGS: Use 3 TBSP butter.

• While potatoes cook, heat a drizzle of oil in a medium, preferably ovenproof, pan over medium-high heat. Add carrot; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. • Add celery, onion, and a large drizzle of oil; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until veggies are just tender, 5-7 minutes. • Stir in garlic powder and 2 tsp chopped thyme; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. • 4 SERVINGS: Use a large, preferably ovenproof, pan. • TIP: If veggies begin to brown too quickly, add a splash of water.

• Add beef* to pan with veggies and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. • Add tomato paste and flour; cook, stirring, until thoroughly combined, 1 minute.

• Gradually pour ½ cup water into pan with beef mixture. Stir in stock concentrates and bring to a boil. Cook until mixture is very thick, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat. • Taste and season with salt and pepper. • 4 SERVINGS: Use ¾ cup water. • TIP: If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer mixture now to a baking dish.