Proper Shepherd's Pie..by special request

Have to give some credit to Gordon Ramsey on this one. His kitchen nightmares show inspired the request and his two min clip on how to make shepherd's pie from the F word is the base for this recipe. The fun thing about his videos is he doesn't give you any amounts, times, or temperatures so the outcome is always exciting. We decided we aren't full on British so instead of full lamb we went 50/50 with lamb/sirloin. (use lean meat). All and all I would say its a success!

Shepherds Pie: (made this for 8)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1 Lbs Ground Lamb
1 Lbs Ground Sirloin (90/10)
1 Onion, shredded
2 Large carrots, shredded
4 cloves of garlic, smashed
3 Tbsp Tomato Paste
1 C Red Wine (I used Cab)
1 Tbsp rosemary, finely minced
1 Tbsp thyme, finely minced
1 C Chicken Stock
3 Lbs Potatoes, peeled
1 Tbsp Butter
1/4 C Milk
1 C Grated Parm Cheese

For the beef/lamb:
Heat a large skillet over med-high heat. Season lamb and beef generously with salt and pepper.  Add 1 Tbps of olive oil.  Add the meat and brown (breaking up along the way). Drain the meat. Return meat to the pan and add carrots and onions. Cook down 4 mins until onions just about dissolve. Add garlic. Cook 2 mins. Add tomato paste, cook 2 mins. add rosemary, thyme, and red wine. Tatse. Season with salt and pepper Simmer, reduce until almost all the wine has evaporated. Add the chicken stock, reduce until almost all the liquid is gone. Tatse. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

For the Potatoes:
Boil the potatoes until soft. With a hand masher or a kitchen aid stand mixer mash the potatoes. Add the butter, milk and 1/2 the parm cheese. Season well with salt and pepper, tasting until you like it.

Heat the oven to 400

In a large baking dish spread the meet evenly on the bottom. Layer the potatoes evenly on top of the meet. Sprinkle the top with the remaining parm cheese. Using a fork prick holes in the top.  Bake 22-25 mins, until the top crust is golden.

Enjoy!