Scary Skillet Shepherd's Pie

For those of us with little Ghouls & Ghosts heading out to Trick or treat in the next Week I was sent this recipe from a dear friend out in Comox Valley, positioned on the East Cost of Vancouver Island. It is a fantastic spooky, fun and nutritious way to send them haunting into the night.

What you need:

3 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

1 lb. (450 g) ground beef

1 cup beef gravy

125 g (1/2 of 250-g pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Brick Cream Cheese, cubed

1 cup milk, divided

1 cup water

2 cups instant potato flakes

1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese

Preparation:

COOK vegetables as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown meat in large skillet; drain. Stir in gravy; simmer until heated through, stirring occasionally.

MICROWAVE cream cheese and 1/4 cup milk in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec.; beat with whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk and water. Microwave 2-1/2 min. or until hot, stirring after each minute. Stir in potato flakes and Parmesan until well blended. Spoon into resealable plastic bag; cut 1 corner from bottom of bag.

REMOVE 12 peas from mixed vegetables; stir remaining vegetables into meat mixture. Squeeze potato mixture into 6 mounds on meat mixture to resemble ghosts. Add 2 of the reserved peas to each for the eyes.