Generous George's Potato Volcano Recipe

George Mansy, founder of Generous George's Positive Pizza & Pasta Place in Alexandria, Virginia created this recipe as a way to make eating vegetables fun for kids. Not only is this dish fun, but it's also delicious!

Ingredients

FILLING:

• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup beef or chicken stock
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 3/4 cup frozen peas and carrots

POTATO TOPPING:

• Instant mashed potatoes, enough for 4 servings (or 3 medium potatoes, mashed with butter and milk)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. For the filling, brown the beef and onion well and drain off any remaining fat. Add the broth, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders, thyme, and parsley and stir to blend. Add the flour and butter and cook, stirring often, until thickened. Cook the frozen vegetables according to the package directions, drain, and add to the beef. Set aside. For the topping, prepare the potatoes and mix in the seasonings.
2. Make the phyllo cups by brushing the top of each phyllo sheet with butter and stacking one atop the other. Cut the stacked sheets into quarters (or sixths if using small muffin cups) and press each quarter into a large muffin cup or ovenproof bowl. Bake at 375° F for 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and cool. These can be made a day in advance; leave unfilled.
3. To assemble the volcanoes, fill each phyllo cup three quarters full of the beef mixture. Using a pastry bag (or an artfully wielded spoon), create a volcano cone of potatoes on the beef. Top the cone with the cheese, patting it gently into the sides to simulate lava. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are lightly browned and heated through. Garnish with a slice of red pepper notched at the edges to resemble flaming-hot lava. Serves 4 or 6.