Round 2 - Shepherds Pie

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons double-acting baking powder 
• 1 cup beer 
• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 14.5 ounce canned tomatoes diced canned
• 4  carrots peeled sliced into rounds
• 4  celery stalks chopped
• 1 pound chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 6 cups flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves fresh chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic minced
• 4 servings salt and ground pepper fresh black
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce 
• 14.5 ounce less sodium beef broth canned
• 0.5 cup milk 
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 4 large potatoes red chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt 
• 4 servings salt and pepper black freshly ground
• 0.8 cup shortening 
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 pound yukon gold potatoes cubed peeled

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• oven
• knife
• whisk
• mixing bowl
• pot
• ramekin
• hand mixer
• potato masher
• slow cooker

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat.
3. Add the potatoes, reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through and tender.
4. Drain, return to pot and mash with a potato masher.
5. In a small pot over low heat, add the butter and milk and heat until hot.
6. Mix the butter and milk mixture to the mashed potatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. (For very creamy potatoes use a hand mixer to incorporate the milk and butter mixture. Only mix for about 45 seconds to prevent potatoes from getting gummy.) Set aside.
7. Evenly divide the beef stew into 4 (11-ounce) ramekins. Top with the mashed potatoes and bake until the stew is bubbling and potatoes are slightly browned on top, about 30 minutes.
8. In a 6-quart slow cooker combine the celery, carrots, potatoes, onions, thyme and beef. In a large bowl, stir together all the remaining ingredients and pour over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours.
9. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with Beer Biscuits.
10. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
11. In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients with a whisk until just combined. Using 2 spoons divide dough into 4 even mounds and put on a baking sheet.
12. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown.
13. All-Purpose Baking
14. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
15. Cut in the shortening with a pastry knife or fork until the mixture is well blended. Use in recipes that call for Bisquick or all-purpose mix.