How to Make Pastel De Papa

Pastel de papa (which, literally translated, means "potato pie") is a South American spin on shepherd's pie. Also known as Chilean potato pie, the main ingredients are simple: potatoes, eggs, and ground beef. It is popular in both Argentina and Chile, and there are many variations. Here is a basic one for you to try.

Ingredients

6 potatoes
2 to 2 1/2 lbs. of ground beef
- or 1 lb. of ground turkey, but use lots of herbs and some olive oil
1 large yellow onion
4 eggs
1/4 or 1/2 stick of butter (1/2 stick butter is the equivalent of 8 tablespoons, 1/2 cup or 113g of butter)
3 oz (85g) shredded cheddar cheese
Salt
Pepper
Paprika

Steps

1
Make mashed potatoes. Chop the potatoes into chunks, boil until mashable, and then mash away. Add a quarter or a half a stick of butter, as well as some salt and pepper to taste.
2
Chop and sauté a large onion with cumin until soft and sweet.

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3
Hard boil the eggs. Peel and chop into small pieces.
4
Pan fry two or two and a half pounds of ground beef. Drain when almost cooked. Add onion, paprika, salt and pepper to taste.
5
Grease a nine-by-nine-inch (23cm x 23cm) oven dish. Good trick: If you have the paper from a stick of butter, don't throw it out. Rub the buttery side along the dish to grease it. Waste not, want not!
6
Spread a layer of mashed potatoes along the bottom and sides of the dish. Use a little more than half of the mashed potatoes. Make the layer about a half an inch (1.3cm) thick (but less so on the sides). Sprinkle with half the shredded cheese.
7
Spread a layer of ground beef. Gently press it down with a spatula to compact it. Add a layer of hard boiled egg.
8
Apply another layer of mashed potatoes.
9
Sprinkle black pepper to taste.
10
Top with the remaining cheese and some paprika.
11
Bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF/180ºC until the top is just starting to turn golden brown (approximately 15-30 minutes).
12
Remove from the oven and let the dish stand for 10 minutes at room temperature. Use a spatula to divide and serve.
13
Finished.