Shepherds Pie Redux

• splash of olive oil
• 3 finely minced shallots
• 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 pound ground turkey, no antibiotics, 6% fat
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh milled black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves stripped from the stems
• 1 tablespoon grade B maple syrup mixed with 2 tsp. of grated horseradish
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon corn starch or 1/2 tbl. arrowroot
• @ 8 ounces ale (I used Mayflower spring hop)
• 2 pounds potatoes (russet, white or red bliss)
• 1 tablespoon grated horseradish root
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or Maldon salt flakes
• 2 ounces unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• thyme sprigs for garnish

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan and saute the shallots until translucent. Stir in the chopped celery and carrots and cook for about a minute. Add this to a baking dish (2 qt.).
2. Crumple in the ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the maple syrup with 2 tsp. horseradish. Mix the sherry with the cornstarch or arrowroot; pour this over the top. Finally pour in the ale. Use as much liquid to cover the turkey completely for a slow simmer. Bake in a 275 degree oven for about 2 hours.
3. Peel and cut the potatoes. Add them to a pot of water with salt and bring to a boil. Cook until tender for about 20-25 minutes. Drain, saving 1/2 cup of the boiled water. Add this water into the potatoes with the grated horseradish, butter, salt to taste, and buttermilk. Mash, but do not whip smooth.
4. When the turkey has cooked, take it out of the oven. Reset the oven to 425 degrees. Drain off about 2/3 of the liquid and reserve it to use as a sauce (keeping 1/3 with the turkey). Pile the mashed potatoes on top of the turkey. Return the dish to the oven to brown, for 20-25 minutes. Serve with a spoonful of the reserved liquid and a sprig of fresh thyme. Serve with sides of some greens, such as snow peas and salad.

olive oil, shallots, celery, carrot, ground turkey, kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, maple syrup, sherry, corn starch, potatoes, horseradish root, kosher salt, butter, buttermilk, thyme

Taken from food52.com/recipes/10762-shepherds-pie-redux (may not work)