TURKEY SHEPHERD PIE

I cooked a large turkey this week and of course there are leftovers.  Besides the turkey, I had leftovers of cabbage rolls, gravy, mashed potatoes and stuffing.  After having turkey three days in a row, I had had enough turkey and we needed to go to Plan B.  Plan B is making things using turkey.  I followed up with three things. I froze part of one turkey breast and decided to make soup and shepherd's pie.  I had already frozen the carcass and bones after the meat was initially carved for future soups.

Using some of the fresh cooked turkey meat, I will make turkey rice vegetable soup.  I plan to add the three leftover cabbage rolls and these will add great flavour to the soup.  But that will be done  tomorrow.  Tonight, after supper was done, I made the shepherd's pie.  I decided to add some of the stuffing to the mashed potatoes as the top layer.  I had enough leftover mashed potatoes but thought adding the stuffing would add flavour and since the stuffing was really tasty I wanted to use some of it.  This recipe is adaptable to adding different vegetables depending on what you like.  I used a medium size pan, about 9 X 13 or so inches.  If you have less leftover turkey and mashed potatoes, you can use a smaller pan.  You can also use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.  If you don't have leftover mashed potatoes, you can cook 2 to 3 potatoes and mash them to add as the topping.  I froze the assembled pie and will bake it for a future meal in a month or two.

Assembled and ready to freeze.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp oil 

1 clove garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

peas and corn - optional

2 to 3 cups chopped turkey 

1/3 cup gravy 

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups mashed potatoes

1 cup leftover stuffing

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Using a medium to large frying pan, add the oil and heat the pan using a high temperature.  Add the onion and garlic and reduce heat to medium.  Sauté for 5 minutes, stir often and don't let the onions get brown.  Add some water if the onions and garlic are sticking to the frying pan.  Add the remaining vegetables and continue sautéing and stirring for about five minutes.  Add some water if the mixture is sticking.  Add the turkey and gravy to the pan and combine well.  Turn the heat off. 

In a medium size bowl, combine the stuffing and mashed potatoes.  Add 1/4 cup of the grated cheese to the potato mixture and combine.

Into a baking pan, add the cooked vegetables, turkey and gravy.  Layer the mashed potatoes mixture on top.  Cover the top with the remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Wrap it up for freezing or bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes.  If it is frozen and then placed in the oven, the baking time will be longer.   Serves 4 to 5 people.