Shepherd's Pie

1. Prepare the Beef

Toss the ground beef with 2 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.25 teaspoon of pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda. Set this mixture aside for 20 minutes.

2. Cook the Potatoes

Place the peeled and chunked russet potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover them with water, and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes for 8-10 minutes, or until they are soft enough that the tip of a knife meets no resistance.

3. Mash the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and return them to the saucepan. Mash them together with the melted butter, milk, egg yolk, and sliced scallion greens. Season the mash with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the mashed potatoes for an additional minute to evaporate any excess moisture.

4. Cook the Vegetables

Heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, mushrooms, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of pepper. Cook the vegetables until they are soft and starting to brown, which should take about 4-6 minutes.

5. Add Tomato Paste and Garlic

Stir in the tomato paste and minced garlic, cooking until the mixture turns dark brown, around 2 minutes.

6. Deglaze the Skillet

Deglaze the skillet with 2 tablespoons of Madeira or ruby port, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the liquid evaporates, then stir in 2 tablespoons of flour.

7. Add Broth and Simmer

Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, chopped carrots, and the prepared beef to the skillet. Simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the beef to cook through.

8. Thicken the Filling

In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and stir this into the skillet. Cook for another 30 seconds, or until the filling thickens.

9. Preheat Broiler and Assemble

Preheat your broiler. Spoon the beef filling into a broiler-safe skillet or dish. Pipe or spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling, smoothing the surface and creating ridges with a fork for texture.

10. Broil and Serve

Place the skillet on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips and broil for 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow the Shepherd's Pie to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.