No crust Shepherds Pie with Pasta

Does that look upside down ? I didn't cover the pie with another layer of mashed potatoes as these were made as part of a diet friendly Dinner ...ended up in a luxurious one anyway we enjoyed it hence thought to share with you.
A shepherds pie is something made from the left over meat, lined with mashed potatoes and also topped with the same.Omitted the topping and also decided not to cover with any crust just for the ease of it.
While I was making it , I had a doubt if its filling enough...

Only today I came across this quote or else I would have omitted the addition of pasta to this dish ;)
No regrets as it didn't come out to be an Alien's dish ....Pasta's are also added to Pie's I guess , I used a little of shell-pasta in this recipe.

Ingredients

For the Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes - 2 large ( cut , boiled and mashed )
Milk - 3/4 cup
Butter - 2 to 3 table spoon.
Pepper and salt to taste.

* Boil the milk in low heat , add the butter to it, when the butter melts , add in the mashed potatoes, mix thoroughly with out any lumps add salt and pepper. Switch off the heat. Layer these mashed potatoes as base for the pie in a oven proof dish / casserole.

For the Filling (Use vegetable's & meat of your choice)

I made the filling with the following ingredients

Left over fried chicken Pieces
Onion - 1/2 medium chopped
Garlic - 3 no's finely chopped
Broccoli - 1/2 of 1 medium sized head , chopped.
Green Bell Pepper / Capsicum - 1 medium chopped
Shell Pasta/ Conchiglie - 1/2 cup (or use any other paste, noodles) - Optional
Pepper - 2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 table spoon

Method

* If using Pasta , Boil water to cook the pasta , when it starts to bubble , add the pasta and salt. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes in medium  heat , check if the pasta's are cooked , drain away the water and keep aside.

* Heat oil in a pan , add finely chopped garlic , followed by onion and all other vegetable's , salt and pepper and saute for 5 to 8 minutes in medium heat stirring constantly , when the vegetable's are nice and tender add the cooked pasta and leftover fried chicken pieces (or any other cooked meat you have) stir for few seconds to combine all ingredients , add salt & Pepper if necessary and switch off the heat. 

* Layer this filling over the layered mashed potatoes.

For the White Sauce 

Ingredients 

All Purpose flour - 2 table spoon

Milk - 1 cup milk 

Butter - 2 table spoon ( or more if you wish ) 

Nutmeg - a pinch (Optional)

Salt and Pepper to taste 

* Heat a pan ,add butter , when it starts to melt add  flour and keep stirring to cook the flour , pour milk little at a time and whisk nicely to make a lump free sauce (if the sauce looks thick add a little more milk and make it the consistency you want) , switch off the heat after adding salt and pepper. 

* Pour this sauce over the layered pie.

To finish the dish , topped this pie with some breadcrumbs. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in 350 degree F. 

Notes :

: To make this Dish extra Generous , Cover the pie with another layer of mashed potatoes and also add some cheese while making the white sauce (That's in its last step before switching off the heat)

:  While making the mashed potatoes , make it thick in consistency , if the mashed potatoes looks watery , cook for a few more minutes in low flame to thicken it up , do stir constantly.

Cheers
TN