Hachi parmentier
================ 2022-07-09


Comment: Normally the "hachi parmentier" (shepherd's pie) is made with "pot-au-feu" leftovers, otherwise, with boiled beef according to the first part of this recipe. For the ground beef, I chop it with a knife so that it keeps a certain texture; it doesn't take longer than taking out the meat grinder  and washing it after use. Note that it is easier to to cut meat when it's cold.

6 persons

Boiled beef:
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800 g beef for stew
1 onion, cut in 4 (unpeeled)
100 g celeriac root or, failing that, 1 to 2 celery stalks, cut into pieces
1 carrot in slices
1 small turnip diced (opt)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 bay leaves
2 cloves
a few peppercorns
1.5 tspn salt

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, dip the meat in it and cook for 2-3 min. Remove meat, discard water and foam.
   
Return the meat to the pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, bay leaf, cloves and salt. Simmer half-covered for about 3 hours. When meat is cooked, remove from broth. Pass the broth through a fine strainer. Discard remaining solid ingredients.


Hachi parmentier:
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1.2+ kg of potatoes
25 cl milk (or more depending on the potatoes)
800 g boiled beef or ground beef with 2 to 3 dl of its broth
1 nice onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (opt)
2 tablespoons tomato paste (opt)
butter
1 sprig or a pinch of thyme (opt)
80 g grated Gruyere cheese (or other tasty cheese)
Nutmeg
S + P

Mash the potatoes and make mashed potatoes using the milk and 40 g butter, S + P and nutmeg. The mashed potatoes should be rather thick (see for example Mashed potatoes.

In a frying pan or saucepan, melt 50 g butter, sauté the onion for 5 to 10 minutes, add the meat, a pinch of thyme, tomato paste mixed in a little broth, S + P, simmer for 15 minutes. If necessary add up to 3 dl of broth (meat should be moist, but not too wet).

Butter a gratin dish, spread half of the mashed potatoes, all the meat and then the rest of the mashed potatoes.
Sprinkle with grated cheese, add a few knobs of butter and bake in the oven at 180C for 30 to 35 minutes, broil for the last 5 mn if applicable.