Frugal Friday Recipe: A New Twist on an Old Favorite!

This week I was looking for a new recipe, as I am getting a little burned out of my usual weekly repertoire. I had heard someone mention the following recipe before and it sounded good, so I looked it up and made my own version of Turkey Sweet-Potato Shepherd's Pie (this is Rachael Ray's version). It's very simple to make, and can be really inexpensive as well...not to mention totally delicious! I had to force myself to STOP eating it at dinner tonight. Another added bonus...it can be made ahead of time and then frozen and reheated.

Jenny M's Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces

1 lb Ground Turkey (By the way, my Publix has Empire Kosher Ground Turkey for $2.89/lb!)

1 large onion, chopped

10 baby cut carrots, sliced into "coins"

3 celery sticks, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 tablespoons butter (or Pareve alternative, if needed)

2 tablespoons flour

1 package onion soup mix

1 cup water

1 cup of frozen mixed veggies

1 ripe banana, sliced

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Few dashes hot pepper sauce

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

Italian seasoning, few sprinkles

Preheated oven to 400 degrees

Large glass (or disposable - even better!) lasagna pan

Directions:

1. Put sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. Drain and put potatoes back into the warm pot.

2. In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil on high heat. Add the turkey while breaking up with spoon. Once it is browned, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Season with salt and pepper, or add whatever you like!

3. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat while whisking in flour for 1 minute. Then whisk in the onion soup mix and SLOWLY add the water, and season with a little pepper. Whisk until it thickens, and then add to the turkey mixture. Stir in the frozen veggies and turn heat to low.

4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the sweet potato pot and melt over low heat. Add the banana, sprinkle of salt, sprinkle of cinnamon and a few dashes of the hot sauce and mash until well combined.

5. Spoon the turkey mixture into the pan and then put the sweet potatoes on top. It helps to put the sweet potatoes on a dollop at a time, and then smooth the whole thing over the top. Sprinkle a little Italian seasoning on top and bake until a little crust is formed, about 10 or 15 minutes.

6. Enjoy!

Check out the rest of Frugal Friday at Biblical Womanhood!

No, the picture is not mine, but is courtesy of Ontario Turkey. For some reason my digital camera is not wanting to upload tonight!