I made Slow Cooker Pinto Beans w/ Carolina Reapers and Mexican Rice w/ Cayenne Peppers & Bay Leaves the other day. And I've been staring at them in the refrigerator going... "Do you think that this would be good with mashed potatoes??" But it's also fall, despite it being sixty degrees. So, I want to start making hearty, winter weather foods. Like mashed potatoes. Only, I don't always associate mashed potatoes with Latin American food. I associate it more with shepherd's pie. What other dish has mashed potatoes in it on purpose?? So, I decided that I'd try it out. After all, there's no reason that beans and rice can't be substituted for lamb or mutton. I actually think that it's technically a cottage pie, instead of a shepherd's pie, if you don't use lamb or mutton. Although, the recipe won't be indexed on Google if you don't use the more colloquial term of phrase. Hence, the Mexican Shepherd's Pie moniker.
Gallery
Variations of Mexican Shepherd's Pie
I'm actually pretty fond of Shepherd's pie. It's not something that you see people making all that often. I'm a big fan of the Irish peasant food genre, though. There's nothing better than mashed potatoes and I definitely make them frequently in the colder months. They're quick and easy to make, incredibly filling, and are best served piping hot. There's almost no better cold winter food (although, curry would give it a run for its money in my book!). Shepherd's pie is pretty much an entire holiday dish in one. It has mashed potatoes, a meat or legume, potentially cheese, and a green vegetable, if you want to get frisky with it. Plus corn. I don't entirely understand America's obsession with corn. But there does seem to always be corn in things.
Add the refried beans ingredients to a crock pot with the water. Cook on low for 8 hours, or until the desired consistency is reached.
Add all of the Mexican rice ingredients into a rice cooker. I like to start with the larger vegetables and then add the smaller ingredients, followed by the rice and water. Press the cook button on the rice cooker. It should take about 45 minutes to cook.
For the mashed potatoes, peel and cube the potatoes. Place in a large pot and cover with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 10-15 minutes, or until tender. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain the water and place back in the pot. Mix in other ingredients and mash with a potato masher until light and fluffy.
Assemble Shepherd's Pie
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add a layer of beans, rice, corn, mashed potatoes, and cheese.
Place in the oven and cook for 30-45 minutes, or until the ingredients are heated throughout and the cheese begins to brown.
Leave a Reply