We had a little Irish meal this week (to honor St. Patty’s Day) and a little Mexican as we can never go wrong with tacos in our house. I spent a summer on the island of Maui. Maui Tacos is a restaurant there. I enjoy the added sweetness that they bring to their Mexican recipes. My mother was so awesome to buy me their cookbook. If you prefer a lot of spice, their recipes may not be for you, but if you are not afraid of some sweetness, I strongly suggest you check them out! I was so thrilled when I returned to Minnesota that they had this restaurant in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport, although, I am afraid it is no longer there. It’s been awhile since I tried to seek it out upon traveling. As my family favors soft shell tacos, I tend to go the taco salad route.
Shepherd’s Pie
*slightly altered from Shopkins Let’s Get Cooking book
Ingredients
4 large potatoes, washed and cut into 4’s
4 garlic cloves, diced.
1 stick unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
2/3 cup frozen peas
2/3 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 lbs ground turkey (could use beef or venison)
1-2 t Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Place potatoes and garlic in a pot, cover with water. Bring to boil, simmer for 20 minutes.
Place 4 T butter into large pan. Add onions, carrots and meat, cook until cooked through. Add peas and corn, cook 2 more minutes.
Add Worcestershire sauce and broth, cook for 10 minutes.
Preheat over to 400 degrees.
Strain potatoes and garlic and place in a bowl. Add 4 T of butter and mash together.
In a baking dish place meat mixture.
Top with shredded cheese.
Spread mashed potatoes on top.
Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
Cook in oven for 30 minutes.
Ground Beef Taco Meat
*slightly altered from the Maui Tacos Cookbook. I double all taco meat recipes as we eat through it like crazy!
1 lb ground beef (or venison works too- I know, real Hawaiian!)
1 t. Salt
1/2 t. Ground pepper
1 t. Granulated garlic
1 T. Ground cumin
Pinch of ground clove
1 t. Dried oregano
3 oz puréed mangos (it calls for pineapple juice, but we did not have any)
1 cup water
Add all ingredients to a pan, bring to boil and simmer for an hour. Add salt to taste.