An Old Favorite Recipe, With A Deliciously Healthy Twist!

I am in love with Shepperd's Pie.
It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling every time sink my teeth into a fork full of this yummy comfort food! Yes, food has the ability to give me warm and fuzzy feelings, and that's never going to change.

I. Love. Food.

And in order for me to be successful on this journey to lose weight, and become healthier, I need to embrace that. I can't, and will not break up with delicious food, and I will
never stop loving the food I eat.

I hadn't had Shepperd's Pie since January, before I started this Deliciously Healthy Journey of mine (on a side note: Gosh I've grown so much since then!). Why hadn't I had my beloved Shepperd's Pie? Well, let's start with the fact that the potato layer had 1 stick of butter, and 1 cup of cream. Yes, straight up cream. On top of that, I would have veggies mixed in with greasy ground beef. On top of that went biscuit batter topped with 3/4 of a stick of melted butter. Yes, more butter. I had gotten the recipe from Paula Deen. You know how she loves her butter!

So, I had shied away from Shepperd's Pie.
Why? I freakin LOVE it!

As I said before, I will never stop loving food, and there is no reason I can't have Shepperd's Pie while on a diet. All I have to do, is make a few healthy tweaks. Sure, it's probably not the healthiest recipe I could make, but it's almost half the calories as the original, and I'm getting to enjoy something I LOVE while being on a diet.
And that folks, is priceless.

I wasn't sure if it was going to come out the same, but it is seriously DELISH! It tasted just like the recipe I used to make, with all the butter and cream! My husband, and our house guest LOVED it as well!

Deliciously Healthy Shepperd's Pie:

This is what you need:

• 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 stick of smart balance butter blend or 1/2 cup regular smart balance
  
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
• salt and black pepper
• 8 to 10 medium red potatoes
• 2 cups low fat milk. Divided
• 1/2 cup low fat sour cream
• 2 cups of instant biscuit mix
  
• 2 cups mixed vegetables

This is what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Ground Turkey Layer:

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add chopped onion, and ground turkey. When the turkey is cooked, add the veggies, and turn to low heat. Cover with a lid for about 5 min, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.

Potato Layer:

Slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick. Place in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain potatoes and transfer to a mixing bowl. Mash potatoes with 1/2 cup heated milk, 1 stick smart balance butter blend, and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix until it's the consistency you like.

Biscuit Layer:

Combine biscuit mix and 1 1/2 cups of milk. The mix should be thinner than that of normal biscuit mix but not runny.

Spray a 9 by 9 by 2-inch pan (or any similar casserole dish) with cooking spray. Layer mashed potatoes halfway up the sides of the dish. Next, spread a layer of turkey and mixed veggies on top of the potatoes. Then pour the biscuit batter over the turkey/veggies. Bake for about 35 to 45 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Here's what I'm thinking:

• Serves 10 and the servings are nice and big!
• Calories per serving: 425

Enjoy!

(this is less then a serving!)

It's really good with ketchup!

Besides looking a tad evil! ;D

Psst...
I posted my recipe on Smart Balance.com.
I would appreciate your vote to all those who try this yummy recipe!
Rate it HERE
Thanks!