Thinking outside the box....

About a year ago, I found a recipe for Updated Shepherd's Pie in my Kraft Food & Family mag that I receive seasonally.

I was of course intrigued and made it right away. Since then I don't think I've ever looked at Shepherd's Pie the same way again. It is funny how narrowminded you can become over one staple - figuring it should be done one way and that's it and then you suddenly discover there's a whole new world to it! For example, I never would have thought to use mixed vegetables prior to seeing this recipe, I only thought of corn when I thought of Shepherd's pie.

Since making this version of Shepherd's pie, I've switched up my methods and ingredients more often than not, and let me tell you, as much as a traditional Shepherd's pie is a great comfort food, it is kind of fun to put a different twist on it now and then. This past weekend I used ground turkey cooked in some light soy sauce and it gave the dish, once again, different spin on taste.

I have no specific recipe to share except to tell you it was inspired by the one above and that we all should try to think outside the box, or should I say "cook outside the pot" now and then!