Ingredients

  • 4 large russet potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 12 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup beef stock or more as needed
  • 1/4 cup butter, unsalted softened, or half olive oil, half butter
  • 1 x salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 slices bacon cut into thin strips
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil or other vegetable oil
  • 1 large onions chopped, or 2 medium
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus extra 1/2 teaspoon
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 pound beef ground
  • 3 medium carrots roughly chopped
  • 1 cup peas, frozen thawed
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon flour, all-purpose
  • 12 ounces beer light or dark, 1 bottle
  • 1/2 cup beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary leaves freshly and finely chopped
  • 1 x black pepper freshly ground, to taste
  • 23 cup cheddar cheese shredded, or swiss
  • 3 tablespoons parsley leaves freshly chopped, or as needed

Method

  • For the potato topping:
  • In a large saucepan, add the potatoes and garlic and cover with cold water.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork-tender, 16 to 18 minutes.
  • Drain.
  • Transfer the potatoes and garlic to a large bowl with an electric mixer.
  • Add the sour cream, 1/4 cup of the broth, butter (or half olive oil, half butter) salt and pepper to taste, and beat on low speed until the potatoes are light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • If the mixture seems too dry, add the remaining 1/4 cup broth by once 1 tablespoon.
  • Do not overmix.
  • Cover and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350F (180C).
  • Coat a 10-inch round baking dish with cooking spray or grease with butter with brush with oil.
  • For the filling:
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Stir in the bacon and cook, stirring often until browned and almost crisp, about 8 minutes.
  • With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon onto a plate; set aside.
  • Add the oil to the drippings in the skillet and put over medium heat.
  • Stir in the onions and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onions are very soft and just starting to brown, 9 to 11 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the sugar over the top, and cook, stirring several times, until the onions begin to caramelize, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Add the beef and cook, stirring often over medium-high heat, until the beef begins to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the carrots, peas, and garlic and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and flour and cook, stirring, until well mixed, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Pour in the beer, bring to a boil and boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, and scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the cooked bacon, the broth, rosemary, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens, 15 to 18 minutes.
  • Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Spread the potato topping evenly over the beef mixture.
  • Bake until the filling is hot and cooked through, the topping is lightly golden and browned and the edges are bubbly, 35 to 38 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the cheese.
  • Return to the oven and bake for another 10 more minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle parsley on top and serve warm.