Recipe: Hachis Parmentier

Hachis Parmentier is a classic French dish that's somewhat akin to a shepherd's pie. It typically consists of layers of minced meat, often beef, topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden and bubbly. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

For the meat filling:

500g (1 lb) minced beef (you can also use a mix of beef and pork)

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 carrots, diced

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

1 cup beef or vegetable broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil for cooking

For the mashed potatoes:

1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes, peeled and diced

50g (about 1/4 cup) butter

1/2 cup milk or cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Grated cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Start by preparing the mashed potatoes. Place the diced potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender, then drain them.

Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Add the butter and milk or cream, and continue mashing until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the potatoes are cooking, heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Add the minced beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is browned, add the diced carrots and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.

Stir in the tomato paste and beef broth, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the flavors have melded together.

Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top the meat with the mashed potatoes, spreading them out into an even layer over the meat.

If desired, sprinkle grated cheese over the top of the mashed potatoes.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Hachis Parmentier!

Feel free to adjust the seasonings and ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Bon appétit!