MY version of Shepherd's Pie......

This is my favorite kind of shepherd's pie. It's probably closer to what true English shepherd's pie is, but if not I'm not worried. I didn't know there was any other way to make it, I thought it was always made like my mom made it (which is the next recipe I'm posting, 'Vs. Mom's version of Shepherd's Pie).

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 -5  medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream or 1⁄2 cup sour cream (or a combination)
• 3  tablespoons bacon fat
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons flour
• 1  cup  beef stock or 1  cup beef broth
• 1  stalk celery, finely sliced
• 1  medium onion, finely chopped
• 1  carrot, peeled and finely sliced
• 1  can  drained peas (type of peas to your preference)
• 1  lb ground beef (the leaner, the better)
• 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1  teaspoon dried rosemary
•  ground nutmeg
•  ground cloves

Directions

1. Combine the herbs and grind in a mortar (If you don't have a mortar and pestle, sort of crush them into your palm with your thumb, but be careful with the rosemary, it's pointy!).
2. Boil potatoes until cooked through.
3. Drain; mash or rice the potatoes.
4. Add the butter and stir until the butter has melted.
5. Add the heavy/sour cream.
6. Stir until the potatoes are very smooth.
7. In a frying pan, heat the bacon fat until hot but not smoking.
8. Add the carrot, onion, and celery, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender.
9. Add the ground beef and cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until browned.
10. Skim off all the fat but reserve any juices.
11. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and cook, stirring, until the flour has dissolved.
12. Add the beef stock, peas (I use the whole can, you may want to use less), rosemary and thyme, and a pinch each of the cloves and nutmeg.
13. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
14. Turn the meat mixture into a 1 1/2 qt casserole, and even the mixture out with a rubber spatula.
15. Gently spoon the potatoes over the top and smooth with a rubber spatula, using gentle sweeping motions.
16. Sprinkle a little heavy cream over the top and bake in a 400 degree F oven for about 1/2 hour to heat through.
17. The cream should brown over the potatoes.
18. Serve warm.