Puerto Rican Shepherd Pie (Pastelon)

Ingredients and Weight:

• 4 pounds ground lamb or beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 pounds mashed potatoes (you can use pre-made mashed potatoes from the supermarket)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons milk or cream
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including prep and cooking time)
• Cooking Time: 1 hour

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large pot, brown the ground meat with the onions. Drain excess fat.
3. Add the garlic, bell pepper, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper to the meat and mix well.
4. Let the meat mixture cook for about 30 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with beaten egg and milk/cream until smooth.
6. Oil a baking dish and spread half of the meat mixture at the bottom.
7. Cover the meat with a layer of mashed potatoes.
8. Spread the remaining meat on top and cover with a thin layer of mashed potatoes.
9. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving: 1/8 of the dish) Calories: ~450, Protein: ~25g, Carbohydrates: ~35g, Fat: ~25g, Saturated Fat: ~9g

Dish Characteristics:

• A rich and hearty dish that originates from Puerto Rico.
• The combination of meat and potatoes creates a satisfying and comforting meal.
• The dish has a Spanish influence with the use of oregano and thyme.

User Comments:

1. "The flavor was outstanding! This dish reminded me of my grandma's cooking."
2. "I love how creamy the mashed potatoes are on top. It gives a nice contrast to the spicy meat."
3. "This is a great dish for a cold winter night. It's filling and tastes great!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use a good quality mashed potato mix or make your own mashed potatoes to ensure a creamy texture.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
• If you want to make this dish vegetarian, you can skip the meat and just use the vegetables and mashed potatoes.