About Moi

About Moi
My Name is Brittany, and I'm 23yrs old. I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 15, and then diagnosed with RA, when I was 18. I also got married when I was 18, and I'm enjoying my happily ever after with my hubby! When I got married, I was slim and trim...But not for long. After getting married, I started to gain a LOT of weight! In 1yr, I gained 50lbs! Finally, I went to the Doctor, where I discovered I have low thyroid. After being put on medicine, my weight gain slowed down, although over the next 3yrs, I gained an additional 26lbs. When I was 20yrs old, I got yet another diagnoses of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. That's 4 diagnoses in a 5yr period, if you lost count. They all effect my weight, in one way or another. Add on top of that, my love affair with food, and every 1 of those 76lbs gained was accounted for. Being 76lbs over weight is unhealthy for anyone, but it was especially unhealthy for me, and my health issues. Since starting this blog, in Jan-2010, I have lost 40lbs! I'm a new, slimmer, and healthier me! Before losing weight, I was told I needed knee replacements. Losing weight was the ONLY tool I had to help me hold off on that life changing surgery. Since losing 40lbs, my knees have never felt better! My husband and I are also trying to start a family, but my PCOS was not going to make it as easy as 1,2,3, as I didn't have periods on my own. My doctor had told me if I wanted a baby, I HAD to lose weight. Since losing 40lbs, I've had regular cycles for the first time in my life! Which is very important when trying to have a baby ;) This journey of mine is more than me simply wanting to wear skinny jeans. It has been a quest to becoming :Deliciously Healthy, so ALL of my dreams can come true! I'm almost half way there! With each new day, I get closer and closer to my goal of 120lbs, and becoming :Deliciously Healthy!

Monday, August 30, 2010

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!

15 comments:

Mark said...

Well that certainly is an interesting adaptation of a traditional shepherd's pie :)

When you say biscuit mix, what is that? This is the first time I have heard of a shepherd's pie with three layers.

:Deliciously Healthy said...

Most Shepperd's Pies call for just 2 layers, but I grew up with the kind that has a layer of bread (biscuit) on top! It. Is. Delish! The recipe calls for 2 cups of dry biscuit mix, I usually buy Bisquick mix. Then you add 1 1/2 cups of milk to the dry biscuit mix, stir, and pour it over top!

Jess said...

Super. Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog.

you should write your own cookbook!
J

Jenn of organic-mama.ca said...

I'm willing to try this since turkey is leaner than beef, but I have to ask if it's dry. It just doesn't look as "juicy" as ground beef.

p.s. Anything Paula Deen makes tastes great, but I have to seriously boycott her recipes for my own good! lol :)

:Deliciously Healthy said...

Nope, it's not dry at all! The biscuit batter kinda seeps into the turkey and veggie layer, and it comes out nice and moist! Hope you like it!

Paula Deen is awesome, but she was killing me slowly with all that butter, lol!

divad said...

I truly prefer lean ground turkey in all my recipes now. It's amazing how the taste buds change. I'm going to try it...

Melting Candy said...

Thanks for sharing! I love how you always put a healthy spin on even good classic comfort food!

And I agree with someone elses comment about you having your own cookbook..... I would buy it (=

Scarlett said...

That sounds so warm and gooey and perfect. Stealing this recipe!

Tina said...

Looks so good! I love shepherds pie and will definitely be giving this a try!

Jess said...

There's an award for you on my blog.

Bella said...

I've only had Shepherd's Pie a few times, but this looks so yummy that it's definitely something I'm going to make once the weather gets cooler.

P.S. - Did you use green onions in this? I'm assuming that's what the green part is. (At first I thought you'd put asparagus in it, which would be yummy, although not traditional).

:Deliciously Healthy said...

Bella- I bought a bag of frozen mixed veggies, and it had green beans in it :)

Tiff said...

You are such a good and creative cook! I need to get cooking lessons from you! lol

Paul and Whitney Rohrbaugh said...

Sending you a blog award! Check out my blog for details!

Alexia said...

can you believe i've never had shepherd's pie?! maybe i should make a meatless version sometime....