Recipe(tried): Papas Rellena (Stuffed Mashed Potato Balls), My Own Shepard's Pie - Two Yummy Recipes for Janet

Janet,

here are two great recipes, Stuffed Mashed Potato Balls and Shepherd's Pie.

Enjoy, Gina

Papas Rellena (Stuffed Mashed Potato Balls)
Makes 8 balls

2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and diced
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup picadillo
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup cracker meal
oil for frying

Cook the potatoes in salted water til tender, drain and mash and season with salt and pepper. When at room temperature, you can work with it.

Take a handful of mashed potatoes, shape into a 3-inch ball and with your thumb, push down in the middle to make a well. Fill with 2 tbsp. picadillo and then reshape ball to enclose meat in it. Roll in egg, then in cracker meal. Repeat until all 8 balls are made. Put on a platter, cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Fry the balls until they are golden on all sides. Drain and serve hot.

My Own Shepherd's Pie
serves 8

1 lb. ground sirloin
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 of a green pepper, chopped fine
1/4 of a red bell pepper, chopped fine
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup cut up green beans
1 (10 1/4 oz.) can beef gravy
salt and pepper to taste

6 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to tastae
3 garlic cloves, whole
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
paprika for sprinkling

Boil the potatoes in the water along with the garlic cloves till tender.

Meanwhile, saute the onions, peppers and garlic in 3 tbsp. olive oil till tender. Brown the meat and drain and set aside. Add the veggies to the meat and stir in seasonings and gravy along with the peas, green beans and carrots. Mix well.

Drain the potatoes and garlic cloves and mash till creamy. Add the sour cream and the butter and blend well. Season with salt and pepper.

Grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish, layer the meat mixture in evenly and then layer the mashaed potatoes over evenly and sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is nice and bubbly.