Crockpot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie (Kind Of)

It’s been a while since I posted, 24 days to be exact and I wish I could say I have been off exploring the world, or doing something super exciting. But I haven’t. I’ve been working. A lot. Like 6 days a week a lot. Working out, a little (3 – 4 times per week; this part IS exciting because I ♥ Cycling). And I have been eating bad food. Not terrible food – but not great food. I have had some bread, ok? There, I admitted it!  And as a result, I haven’t been feeling too great lately. Funny how that works, huh? Eat shit, feel like shit. But we are planning to hit paleo HARD starting May 1^st. We’re going to go strict for 30 days.

So I might as well enjoy the Famous Dave’s while I still can! (Yes, that’s what I am eating tonight after my Cycling class – but I swear it wasn’t my idea, it was his!)

Speaking of him….  Here is how my recipes are measured – aka, how I decide what gets posted – if hubby hates it, it is back to the drawing board. If hubby loves it, I share it! I’m sad to say that there have been some unsuccessful recipes in the last couple of weeks.  Oh well, it happens. You win some, you lose some. I made teriyaki glazed salmon over veggie quinoa. SO BLAND! Ugh. And I have been making a lot of steak, and overcooking it EVERY DAMN TIME. Oh well, it’s all a learning process.

This week, I am proud to say that I had a successful recipe. Which I am proud of, because it was kind of an “on the fly,” type situation. For the last week or so, it’s been about meat and veggies. MEAT AND VEGGIES! So, I made a ‘throw everything in the crockpot,” recipe that I shall call – Crockpot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie (kind of).

Here is where the “kind of,” comes in – there are no mashed potatoes involved. There were going to be, but I was feeling really sick yesterday, and then I went to cycling and I am glad I did, but if I am being honest… cycling when you kind of feel like throwing up is not great. So when I got home and it was time to make the shepherd’s pie I decided to ditch the oven and the mashed potatoes because everything is easier when you throw it in a crockpot.  The other part that makes this recipe “kind of” shepherd’s pie, is that I haven’t ever actually eaten shepherd’s pie. So I don’t know if this is even close in taste!

I introduce to you……

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What You Need

2lbs ground beef

1 tbs olive oil

2 tsp minced garlic

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce + ½ tbs worcestershire sauce

2 tsp coconut aminos + ½ tbs coconut aminos

1 tsp gluten free soy sauce + ½ tbs gluten free soy sauce  (if you don’t have coco aminos – just use more soy sauce.)

3 cups baby carrots

4 stalks celery, diced

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 white onion, diced

2 cups frozen peas

1 ½ cups chicken broth

2 tbs tomato paste

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp crushed rosemary

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

What to Do

Heat olive oil and garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add your ground beef, 2 tsp Worcestershire, 2 tsp coco aminos, 1 tsp soy sauce and brown. While the meat is browning, prep your vegetables.

Here’s where it gets really complicated. Once your veggies are prepped, toss them in your crockpot. Add the beef when it’s done cooking. Throw in ALL remaining ingredients. Stir it up. Cover. Cook on high for about 3 hours – until your home smells like grandma’s house and your carrots and sweet potatoes are soft.

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Last week, I was looking for some inspiration and expanding on my LOVE for casseroles to get the job done. I came across a shepherd’s pie recipe and noted the ingredients that I didn’t have on hand. I thought it sounded delicious. Then, when it came time to actually make the recipe – I couldn’t find it again. So, it was a magical mixture of guessing what would taste good, throwing everything in a crockpot and hoping for the best! I’m glad it worked out!

And I must say, there is a special something about Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar. I don’t know why but the combination of these two scents is something really comforting, nostalgic and special.

So eat it up, folks. Let me know what you think! Tell me if it tastes anything at all like Shepherd’s Pie…. because if not, I might have to find a new name!