Marelise Fourie’s Herderspastei (Shepherd’s Pie)

Ingredients

Mince Filling

• 500 g lean beef mince
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp butter or oil
• 1 packet savoury mince sauce
• Water (as directed on the packet)
• 2 tsp BlixSam Garlic Melt Spice Blend
• 2 tsp BlixSam Fire Wave Spice Blend

Layers

• 6–8 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2–3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tsp BlixSam Fire Wave Spice Blend (for seasoning the potato layers)

White Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp cake flour
• 500 ml milk
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Topping

• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Method

1. Heat the butter or oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
2. Fry the onions until soft and lightly golden, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the mince and cook until browned.
4. Mix the savoury mince sauce with the required water and pour into the mince.
5. Stir in the BlixSam Garlic Melt Spice Blend and BlixSam Fire Wave Spice Blend.
6. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, then remove from the heat.

White Sauce

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
2. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
4. Simmer until thick and creamy.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
2. Arrange a layer of potato slices in the bottom of a greased oven dish and lightly season with BlixSam Fire Wave Spice Blend.
3. Add a layer of the mince mixture.
4. Arrange a layer of sweet potato slices.
5. Add the remaining mince.
6. Finish with another layer of potato slices and lightly season again with BlixSam Fire Wave Spice Blend.
7. Pour the white sauce evenly over the top.
8. Sprinkle generously with grated cheddar cheese.

Bake

1. Bake for 45 minutes at 160°C.
2. Increase the oven temperature to 180°C and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.

Serve With

• Fresh green salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Garlic bread