Shepherds Pie

I live in Arizona so there aren't many snowy nights but I still like to make tummy filling body warming meals. I decided to make shepherds pie but my version, I thought I would use sliced potatoes instead of mashed it didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to, even though I sliced the potatoes really thin with my mandolin and baked it for 40 minutes the potatoes were still raw, the flavors were there but I was very disappointed. I will try it again maybe next time i will cover in foil so the potatoes will steam then uncover so they can brown.

2 lbs of ground beef
4 tsp of olive oil
1 8 0z can of diced tomatoes
2 russet potatoes, thinly sliced
2 carrots peeled and sliced
2 cups of frozen peas
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 of pepper
3 tbsp of flower
1 1/2 cups of hot water

Heat 2 tsp of the oil in a large skillet under medium high heat add onions cook until soften then add ground beef, carrots, garlic and salt and pepper until beef is browned. Drain off excess fat, sprinkle flour over cook for a few minutes then add water cook until fluid is thickened. Stir in peas and pour into a large cooking dish.
 In a bowl add potato slices sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and the oil, layer evenly over meat cover with foil baked 30 minutes then raise oven to 400 degrees remove foil and bake until potatoes are brown.

`

Pies,Pies and more Pies!

GGGrrrrrrrr pie crust!!!!!!!!! I can't seem to get it right! All butter or is adding shortening better? What's the best flour to make a tender crust? If I search the internet I can get 50% of one answer and 50% of a different answer. Now I am a expert cookie and candy maker umm cakes could use a little work, now is it cheating if you use a box cake mix and put your own little spin on it? To be honest if I make my own pecan pies I buy the crust or if  I  need a lemon meringue pie I go to my good old pal Marie Calander, so for Thanksgiving I'm going to make my own pies I'm going to do my fave pecan and and a lemon meringue which terrifies me doing the meringue, now should I buy the crust and concentrate on the filling? My son wants me to make a ooey  gooey cake with chocolate chips. If I happen to get any followers before gobble gobble day any advice is welcomed.

An Introduction!

Hello all! My name is Stephanie I'm 40 something lol I was born and raised in Massachusetts but for the past 6 years I have been living in Tempe Arizona. I am currently living with Lupus and Arthritis so I never know what kind of day I am having. I love Movies ( especially scary ), swimming, cooking, baking , music, recipe contesting and trying different ethnic cuisine. Now 3 years ago I was very heavy into recipe contesting and then I let my 20 year old daughter at the time come from Boston to live with me, now in my mind I'm thinking someone to talk to and help me especially on my painful days but what end up happening was 2 years of filth, in and out all time of the night which means keeping me up all night. This put me in such a depression that my doctor had to prescribe me 2 different kinds of  anti-depressants. I also lost interest in everything I loved to do especially the recipe contesting I did it for a year and won about 5 contests and been published in 2 cookbooks and 4 magazines. After years of anger, frustration, tears on November 1st I kicked her out for good I grabbed her by the shoulders and said " Under no circumstances can you come back so you better pay your rent" well unless she is paralyzed  or has cancer. I know that sounds harsh but you don't what I have been threw from her trashing my apartment to pulling a knife on me. Well that's all behind me. This blog will be me sharing my love of food, recipes I've tried including failures and also other things including rant and raves and hopefully looking to make friends with the same interest as me.