Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potatoes



As I may have mentioned in previous posts, this program that I'm on is broken up into three phases. I completed the first two phases last October and November and took a bit of a break in December to enjoy the holidays. Oh sure, I still went to the gym, dabbled in some weights, maybe hopped on the treadmill for a nice stroll. Basically made my appearance.

Well, yesterday I started the last phase of the program, which is the part where you're really supposed to lean and tone. It's such a difficult phase that even the writer of the program has mentioned that it's only something you do occasionally, not as a lifestyle. And I sit here before you as a woman in pain. I never thought it was possible for a workout to BE so brutal. We now take active rests in between our sets, which means that after you completely destroy your quads by doing fifteen reps on the leg press machine, you get to hop off and shred any ounce of feeling you may have had in them by doing fifteen jump squats. Don't even think about sitting down though, you get to do that two more times...and yeah, that was only your first exercise. Get ready for an hour and a half of pain so bad you won't be able to utter a coherent sentence (no seriously, ask the poor lady who asked me if I was done using a bench, I think I just looked at her and drooled.)



However, despite how badly I may have hated it at the time, and despite the fact that I now need my husband's help to lower me onto the couch, it feels AWESOME! Exercise has the amazing capability of making all of your problems seem a bit less significant. Maybe it's because of those great endorphins, or maybe it's because you're only real problem is that you can't lift your fork to your mouth. Either way, it feels excellent after a workout knowing that you just did something great for your body.

And speaking of doing something good for your body, give this Shepherd's Pie a go. I topped it with sweet potatoes due to my newly discovered obsession with them. Where have sweet potatoes been all my life? They are so good, and they make an excellent creamy topper for this casserole filled with flavorful turkey and delicious veggies.


Shepherd's
Pie

Best of Clean Eating, by Clean Eating Magazine

Ingredients

1 lb Yukon gold potatoes (or sweet potatoes) peeled and diced into 2 inch pieces
1 clove garlic, whole, plus 1 teaspoon minced, divided
2/3 cup buttermilk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1 tablespoon chopped chives
sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 lb lean ground turkey breast
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
3 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into half moons
1 celery stalk, diced
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves (I used dried)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup frozen peas (I used a frozen veggie medley)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

Bring potatoes and whole garlic clove to a boil in a pot of water set over high heat. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes, then drain well. Mash potatoes and garlic with a potato masher, ricer or food mill until smooth. Add buttermilk and chives and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat one teaspoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey and cook, stirring often and breaking meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about eight minutes. Drain and discard fat; set turkey aside.

Heat two teaspoons oil in same skillet. Add onion carrots, celery and rosemary, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about eight minutes. Add reserved turkey, broth and tomato paste and continue to cook until most of liquid is absorbed, about five minutes. Stir in peas, transfer mixture to a shallow baking dish and cover with mashed potatoes in an even layer. Run a fork over top of potatoes in a crosshatch pattern or swirl with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Brush top with remaining teaspoon oil and bake in oven until filling is bubbling and top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let stand five minutes before serving.

160 cal, 4g fat, 10g carb, 2g fiber, 4g sugar, 20g prot.

38 comments:

MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College said...

That workout sounds terrifying!!! I hope you can get out of bed tomorrow.

This pie looks utterly amazing. I love swapping sweet potatoes!

Erica said...

Wow! You kick butt girl!!!!!!!! I'm sure you are looking rocking. Sweet potatoes are way better than white in my opinion

chow and chatter said...

so proud of you :-) and love this shepherds pie i need to use sweet potatoes more

Lara said...

I'm always substituting sweet potatoes for regular potatoes anyway, so this looks right up my alley!

Way to go on your lifestyle changes.

Quirky Jessi said...

Ooo, I hadn't thought about using sweet potatoes instead, but I can see it working really well. Yum!

Lynn said...

Your meal looks wonderful, but I am even more impressed by your exercise regime. You go, girl! It sounds like an incredibly difficult routine. Stay strong and get lots of rest :)

Shelby said...

you go Teresa! I know what you mean about how you feel after a workout. I go every weekday morning - no matter how cold it is - to the gym and have worked up to 65 minutes of exercise right now. I like it so much that I'd go in the evening too if I had the time!

Debbie said...

My work out is to walk, walk and walk!!! Always makes me feel better. Love that sheperd's pie. It looks so much better than the usual one when you use sweet potatoes. I'll have to try this!

Barbara said...

Good for you for hanging in there, Teresa. I took a break the past month too, but now am having to make up for it. :(
Super idea to use sweet potatoes on top of your Shepherd's Pie!

Barbara Bakes said...

Looks like a delicious, hearty meal. Perfect on a cold winter's day. Good luck with your program.

Anonymous said...

Way to kick some serious ASS Teresa! I did have to chuckle that your husband and to help you sit on the couch though. :D

I just discovered sweet potatoes not too long ago - you might like my sweet potato hash.

http://mybizzykitchen.com/2012/01/05/sweet-potato-hash/

Cathy said...

Wow, Theresa, you are amazing. I have nothing but admiration for your determination. I can imagine how proud of yourself you must be. That workout sounds beyond painful.

Pam said...

Using sweet potatoes is such a great idea.

Great job on your lifestyle change!

Reeni said...

You're so inspiring! And your shepherds pie looks crazy good! I love that you used sweet taters!

Mary Bergfeld said...

That workout sounds brutal and I can't tell you how much I respect and admire your resolve. The pie sounds delicious and was a great reward for the hard work you did in the gym. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings...Mary

Shoutforfood said...

i love pies especially with lots of potatoes.

Emily said...

Kudos to you woman! Way to rock the work outs!!! . . . and continue to supply the world with tasty recipes and ideas!!!!

Chris said...

That reminds me of some of our martial arts workouts where the next morning I can barely get out of bed, literally. "Hurts so good", right?

I find the eating after that is a definite part of recovery for me. Keep up the great work, you can do it.

Dining Alone said...

you are brave!! the food looks great!

Katy ~ said...

Gosh that looks good! I love sweet potatoes, and what a delicious way to change them up!

Taste and Tell said...

I feel like I could use a workout like that right now!! And I could use a serving of this shepherd's pie - I LOVE sweet potatoes!

Unknown said...

love your recipes... keep working out! It almost sounds like a crosfit workout!!

Velva said...

Cheers to you! I know first-hand the kind of brutal work-out that you refer too...You were kind about being lowered to the couch.. I can remembered thinking that I would need to be lowered too (smile).

I like the idea of using sweet potatoes for shepherds pie-its a nice way to boot the vitamins.

Velva

beti said...

I can't believe you actually make it with sweet potatoes, ir looks fantastic!

Unknown said...

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Joanne said...

that sounds awesome. And a lot like what running a marathon is like lol.

This shepherd's pie is totally rockstar! I always substitute sweet potatoes in for regular potatoes wherever I can...it's definitely the way to go!

Val said...

You had me at sweet potatoes!

The Blonde Duck said...

Just be careful with the pylos. They can be hell on your knees and tendons.

The Blonde Duck said...

Happy Tuesday!

MaryBeth said...

Simply Delish! I love that you used sweet taters for this version.

Kim said...

Teresa- You are doing such a fantastic job of staying motivated. You're definitely on a roll now.

This is a winning meal for sure. It looks hearty and comforting. Like a great big hug just ready and waiting after that workout.

The Blonde Duck said...

I was going to ask, how heavy do you lift?

viji said...

You have explained it greatly and clearly. Looking forward for your next phase.
Hoodia Gordonii

LoLy said...

OMG, This looks soooooooooooooooooo warming and lovely. simply amazing :)

Gloria Baker said...

mmmmm! Look delicious!

The Blonde Duck said...

Happy Monday!

viji said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
viji said...

Do you follow diet only for a particular month? Eager to know if you could some recipes for Acai Diet.