Irish Shepherd's Pie With Guinness

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1. 1Step 1: Peel and cube the potatoes and place them in a large saucepan. Cover them with water. Turn the heat on high and set them to boil. Add some salt to the cooking water.
2. 2Step 2: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. After 15 to 20 minutes they should be fork tender and ready to be drained.
3. 3Step 3: Strain the potatoes when tender. Mash well or pass them through a potato ricer. Add the butter and half the sour cream.
4. 4Step 4: Mash thoroughly, adding additional sour cream as necessary to smooth the consistency of the mashed potatoes. Do not make the mashed potatoes too thin.
5. 5Step 5: While the potatoes are boiling, season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Brown the beef in two to three batches, depending upon the size of your skillet. Strain the beef through a colander to drain off the excess fat. Set aside.
6. 6Step 6: Add the last tablespoon of oil to the pan and brown the onions and garlic in the skillet.
7. 7Step 7: Return the beef to the skillet with the onions. Next add the tomato paste and dijon mustard, the Guinness, worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Stir well.
8. 8Step 8: Add the thyme, parsley, sage and marjoram. Stir to disperse them throughout the beef broth.
9. 9Step 9: Add the brown sugar and chocolate chips. Stir well to ensure the chocolate melts and mixes throughout the skillet. Return the mixture to the boil, then turn the heat down to low and allow to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the mixture is thick and glossy.
10. 10Step 10: When the meat mixture has thickened nicely, pour it into the bottom of a greased 2-quart glass baking dish (8″ x 11″).
11. 11Step 11: Top the meat layer with thawed peas and carrots, spreading them evenly over the surface of the meat.
12. 12Step 12: Spoon the mashed potato over the vegetable layer and spread gently over the top.
13. 13Step 13: Place the shepherd’s pie in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees F. Cook for 15 minutes.
14. 14Step 14: Remove from the oven and add a layer of grated cheese. Return to the oven and bake for a further 20 to 30 minutes.
15. 15Step 15: The shepherd’s pie is ready when the surface is golden brown and crisping at the edges. Remove it from the oven. While it is cooling, make some Guinness gravy.
16. 16Step 16: Add the brown gravy packets to the water in a saucepan over high heat.
17. 17Step 17: Whisk in tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, Guinness and brown sugar. Keep whisking the gravy as it comes to the boil. Remove from the heat once it starts to bubble.
18. 18Step 18: Using a metal serving spatula, divide the shepherd's pie into 8 rectangular servings. Serve with Guinness gravy poured over top, if desired.