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Cook the Book: Beef and Potato Pie

Posted by Caroline Russock, June 15, 2009 at 2:20 PM

Those who visit Argentina often say that it has a very European feel. This might have something to do with the fact that more than 86 percent of the Argentine population is of European decent. Much like the United States, Argentina considers itself a country of immigrants. Each group who has immigrated has brought something distinct and delicious to the Argentine table. The French consider themselves responsible for much of the viticulture, and some of the best Italian food outside of Italy can be found in Buenos Aires.

This recipe for Beef and Potato Pie from Francis Mallmann's Seven Fires comes from Welsh immigrants, who came to Argentina some time in the nineteenth century. At first glance it looks similar to a shepherd's pie, but as you look closer you'll see it includes some very Argentine ingredients. The addition of pimentón is most likely left over from the Spanish colonization of the fifteenth century.

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Beef and Potato Pie

- serves 6 to 8 -

Adapted from Seven Fires by Francis Mallmann.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 pounds ground sirloin
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons pimentón dulce (sweet Spanish smoked paprika)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon dried mustard
1 cup dry red wine
1 pound ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 large Idaho (baking) potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
1 cup whole milk
6 large egg yolks
2 hard-boiled eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar (optional)

Procedure

1. Combine the olive oil, onions, and carrots in a large cast-iron skillet and saute over medium-high heat, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until vegetables soften and begin to brown. Crumble in the ground sirloin and cook for about 4 minutes, breaking up the meat with a fork, until it loses it's pink color. Stir in the bay leaves, rosemary, oregano, cumin, pimentón, pepper flakes, and mustard. Add the red wine and let it bubble gently for 5 minutes to evaporate the alcohol.

2. Stir in the tomatoes and olives and season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the meat is very tender and the liquid is reduced but not totally evaporated. (It is important that the finished dish be moist.) Remove from the heat.

3. Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a medium pot with cold water to cover, add salt to taste, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and boil for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander, and pass through a food mill or ricer back into the pot.

4. Bring the milk to a boil, and beat it into the potatoes with a wooden spoon. One by one, beat in the egg yolks, and continue beating until well blended, fluffy, and yellow.

5. Heat an horno (a wood-fired oven) or home oven (with the rack positioned in the lower third of the oven) to approximately 375° F.

6. Slice the hard boiled eggs 1/3 inch thick and arrange them over the meat mixture. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top and smooth the surface with a spatula. Use the tines of a fork to press a pattern of fine decorative ridges over the entire surface of the potatoes. Sprinkle with sugar, if using.

7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the potatoes are nicely browned on the top.

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Tags: Argentine, beef, beef pies, Cook the Book, Francis Mallmann, pies, potatoes, Seven Fires