MEAT PIE WITH MASHED POTATOES

Meat Pie with Mashed Potatoes image

Yield serves 6-8

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 3/4 pounds mealy potatoes
Salt
6-8 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
3/4 cup milk
For the Filling
2 onions, chopped
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds ground lamb or beef
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup pine nuts
3 tablespoons raisins (optional)

Steps:

Peel and boil the potatoes in salted water until done. Drain, mash them, and stir in the butter and milk. Season with salt and beat well.
For the filling, fry the onions in 3 1/2 tablespoons of the oil, stirring occasionally. Start on very low heat with a lid on until they are soft, then let them color with the lid off. Add the ground meat, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and allspice, and cook, crushing and turning the meat over, for 10 minutes. If you like, strain off the fat.
Heat the pine nuts in about 1/2 tablespoon of oil in a skillet, shaking the pan to brown them lightly all over, then stir them into the meat mixture. If you like, stir in the raisins.
Spread a layer of meat filling at the bottom of a large baking dish (about 14 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches), cover with a layer of mashed potatoes, and press down to flatten. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.