Mashed Potato and Ground Beef Pie

This recipe originates from Brazil, where it is known as "Escondidinho de carne moída" (hidden of ground beef). It's typical of the northeastern region of Brazil, and despite its exotic origin, it's made with common ingredients that can be easily found anywhere.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

• 1 kg (2.2 lb) potatoes
• 500 grams (1.1 lb)  ground beef
• 250 grams (9 oz) grated cheese (mozzarella or similar)
• 1/2 cup (100 ml) milk
• 1 onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Cheiro-verde*
• Olive oil

*Cheiro-verde is a seasoning consisting of chopped parsley and chives. It's generally used in small amounts and is not essential for this recipe.

Peel, cut, and cook the potatoes in abundant salted water until soft.

Mash the potatoes while still hot, then add two tablespoons of butter. Stir well. Add half a cup of milk, season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix until you get a homogeneous mixture. Set aside.

In a pan over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil, and fry the finely chopped onion. Add the minced garlic clove (without the green germ), and when the onion is translucent, add the ground beef. Season to taste and cook until the beef is cooked through, and any water has evaporated. You can season with the mentioned cheiro-verde or any other aromatic herb if you want so. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the baking dish or mold that will go in the oven. You can use any type: silicone, round, rectangular, disposable aluminum, or even individual ones.

On the bottom of the mold, place a thin layer of mashed potatoes. Cover it with grated cheese. Pour the cooked meat over this layer and spread it well.

Spread another layer of mashed potatoes over the meat, and finally, cover it well with grated cheese. If you have leftover meat and mashed potatoes, you can make an additional layer, but with the given quantities, you should be able to make the indicated layers.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (356 F). Place the dish in the oven and let it cook for 30 minutes. If you want to give it a nice golden color on the surface, turn on the grill for 10 minutes, but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Remove from the oven and cut it into portions like a cake. It's one of those recipes that are easy to make and remember, besides being very tasty, they become a regular in the weekly repertoire. Enjoy!