Autumn Shepherds Pie

Why is this a Foodgasm?

One of the greatest parts of Autumn is all the awesomely comforting food. Shepherd's Pie is a comfort classic of meat and potatoes that just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. However, the calories and fat packs on the sweater-weather pounds. Yeah, I don't like that part either, but that is why I am here to not only take this up a few notches with flavor, but also greatly reducing the fat! Is it magic? No it's a foodgasm!

So what did I do to achieve this? Let's take it layer by layer...
The meat layer- I took my trick from my magic portobello beef tacos and added lots of finely chopped mushrooms to the mix as well as some garlic, onion and bell pepper. To add bulk to our meat layer, lots of veggies for vitamins and fiber and for FLAVOR! I also used 93% lean ground beef, which can be rather dry, but with all the veggies it makes it much better!!
The potato layer- I used sweet potatoes since they have more nutritional value with lots of vitamins, **but this is the genius** I used some pumpkin puree mixed into it. Not only adding fiber and bulk but also giving it - FLAVOR. I also used light butter and reduced fat milk. You will not miss any of that fat, I assure you!
The cheesey crust- Reduced fat cheese is the answer, fat free is a no-go, not melty enough and lacks flavor!
 

#ThirstyThursday Drinkgasm Double Cherry Red Stag and Coke Zero

Why is this a Drinkgasm?

When my foodie pal Lauren from Hall Nesting asked if I wanted to do a #ThirstyThursday post, I was more than happy to oblige. My love of bourbon was only expressed in the bourbon iced tea, but I wanted to explore more. make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this post for Lauren's feature #ThirstyThursday cocktail.

Red Stag is one of my favorites. It's a cherry infused bourbon with natural cherry flavor. Usually fruit flavored liquors are very sweet, too sweet and artificially flavored. They also tend to cover up the true taste of the liquor to mask a terribly cheap tasting base liquor. BUT with Red Stag there is none of this! It's a smooth bourbon with a kiss of natural cherry taste. Just enough that it actually enhances the flavor of the bourbon and sets it off. You can definitely drink it on the rocks, but you know me. I have to make something with it...

So there are jack and cokes and cherry cokes...how about Red Stag in Coke Zero and then why not add some maraschino cherries for good measure to get an even more intense cherry flavor?! Duh, this was a no brainer.

This is very easy to make and low in calories. A great drink if you are in a liquor mood, but don't wanna pay the calorie price for some fancy umbrella drink or martini (ie: my one night stand Rainbow Cookie Martini).