BEEF-AND-VEGETABLE POTPIE WITH CHEDDAR BISCUITS

BEEF-AND-VEGETABLE POTPIE WITH CHEDDAR BISCUITS image

Categories Dinner

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1/4 cup canola oil
1 large Spanish onion, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
4 1/4 cups self-rising flour
5 1/3 cups milk
2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
One 10-ounce package frozen peas
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 450° and position a rack in the upper third. Line the bottom of the oven with foil to catch any drips. In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in the oil. Add the onion, carrots and parsnips; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned, 8 minutes. Add the beef, thyme and rosemary and cook over moderately high heat, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until no trace of pink remains and any liquid has evaporated, 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 3 cups of the milk and the stock and simmer until thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in the peas and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to two 9-by-13-inch baking dishes. Put the remaining 4 cups of flour in a large bowl. Cut in the remaining 1 1/2 sticks of butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the cheddar. Stir in the remaining 2 1/3 cups of milk until a smooth dough forms. Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, arrange 18 mounds of the biscuit dough on the filling in each baking dish. Bake both potpies on the top rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes , until the filling is bubbling and the biscuits are cooked through. Turn on the broiler and broil for 1 minute or until the biscuits are golden. Let the potpies rest for 10 minutes before serving.