bread bowl Beef and Gravy (au jus)
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Aunt Annie Belle and Uncle Jimmy used to make this when we visited their house on Canal Street in New Orleans.  They called it Beef au Jus in Bread. 
Notes:  - I buy the bread bowl loaves already made.  HOWEVER - here's an easy recipe link (Bread Bowls) for making your own!    Of course, you don't need to serve this in a  bread bowl - a regular bowl will do with a crusty loaf of French bread on the side.  Serve with a nice salad and red wine.
Recipe Link:  Bread Bowls  
2 or 3 small round bread loaves - scooped out for bowls
Mashed Potato Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut in large wedges
3/4 cup milk or cream
6 tbsp butter
salt and pepper to taste
Ground Beef and Gravy Ingredients
2 cups beef broth (divided)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound of ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
shredded cheese for topping
Steps - Mashed Potatoes
  1. Put cut and peeled potatoes in a large pot.  Cover with water and add a bit of salt.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to simmer and cook until just done - about 15 - 20 minutes.  Don't let them overcook!
  2. Drain potatoes well; put back in the cooking pot and on the stove to stay warm.
  3. In a saucepan on low heat, warm the milk or cream and butter (don’t boil).  Add to the mashed potatoes.  
  4. I mash them with a large fork or an old-fashioned potato masher. Don’t use a blender or mixer - they will end up mushy.
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set potatoes aside and keep warm until ready to serve.
Steps - Ground Beef and Gravy
  1. Whisk together the 1/4 cup of the broth and the cornstarch until smooth. 
  2. Put the olive oil in a skillet and cook crumbled ground beef over medium heat until nearly done.  Drain liquid (if any) from skillet. Add onion, celery, salt, and pepper to skillet and cook until onion is transparent and meat is cooked.  Add minced garlic.
  3. Reduce heat on low and add rest of beef broth to the ground beef. Stir gently and then simmer uncovered about 5 minutes or so until all is warmed. 
  4. Slowly pour in the broth and cornstarch mixture, stirring until mixed in.  Turn heat to medium and and bring all to a boil, stir continuously for for a minute or so until the broth has become a thick gravy. 
  5. To serve:  I like to put the mashed potatoes on one side of the bread bowl and the beeff mixture on the other.  OR You can put the mashed potatoes on the bottom of the bread bowl and add the beef on top.  Sprinkle with shredded cheese.