Your comments actually did make me laugh out loud. I'm an American but I am dismayed by the tendency to slap cheese (usually American cheese which is NOT a cheese in my opinion) on everything. Looking forward to trying out the recipe.

I appreciate learning new things about other cultures, however as an American transplanted from Sweden 35 years ago, the swedish meatballs, pancakes, etc I eat here in the states are not quite how we make them in my native country, however, I'm honored that someone took the time to make the recipe at all. That's why I love this country-DIVERSITY!!!

made this for a work party and everyone loved it! not a scrap left, many came back for seconds. didnt taste "lamby" good flavor, will make this recipe again!!!

Steve, us Brits love our cheese and produce over 700 varieties from large production to small artisan which is becoming an increasingly popular choice. There is also a culture of people that eat at fast food outlets-nothing wrong with that as long as it is infrequently due to the rise in obesity and heart disease. That's what is killing us!! A double dose of saturated fat in one go! Complete with fries! Not a vitamin to be seen but a pure fat/carb fest. I assume the entrepreneurship to which you refer must be in cahoots with the funeral directors!

I and many like myself cook every day and shepherds pie is a pretty good mid week dinner. But as SP is made with lamb we as a nation would not put cheese and lamb together.

Neil - I can promise you that The British eat far more Cheeseburgers (if you know what they are) at the 1300 McDonald's and 1400 Burger Kings located in the British Isles then they do Shepherd's Pie. So.....I don't think the meat/cheese duo might be a only a US obsession. I'm not saying that McDonald's and Burger King's show America's best at cooking but definitely at entrepreneurship. Since they're franchises they are most likely owned by Brits. That must kill you.

You're okay Neil. Your passionate about one of your country's most loved dishes and want to keep it traditional. There is nothing wrong with that!

I am an American and found your comments to be spot on. I've also made this dish following your recipe exactly and it was the best Shepherd's Pie I've had, and I've been to Ireland.

AMEN!! to NO cheese on Shepherd's pie. Your comments were NOT rude, just factual and many share your opinion. I love cheese on Mexican food, and many American dishes... but keep it away from my Sheppard's pie! I began to use Bay leaf in mine and love the flavor it adds. Do not know if that is typical at all to British style or not, but a good idea to try. Recently had some with thyme added to it. Either the Bay Leaf or Thyme add to the savoriness of the dish.

Being a Brit myself,I know that lamb is used to make shepherds pie.I have tried to make this clear to a few of my friends here in Canada by explaining that cows are not herded by shepherds lol!!!

LMAO! I don't give a damn if it's British or American version as long as it tastes good to me!

This sounds fabulous... I have never had it but all the ingredients make it sound so delicious.. Thank you for giving us the recipe Neil. I am definitely going to try this .. God bless you!

Crap this is better than an ugly comment on Facebook! I have to say I got involved and read all 22 pages.
Being from Arkansas lamb is not the easiest thing to find in a grocery store, maybe Kroger?? I have never eaten lamb but now I must sneak into Kroger and hope no one sees me buying a package as I might be considered a snob!
I have never tried shepherds pie. I did have relatives named Shepherd and they had beef pot pie with cheese on top. Does that count? They had bad teeth too, does that mean they could have been British?
Loved the snippy remarks in the recipe. We all have versions of our favorite recipes. In Arkansas we fry everything. When I visit other parts of the US I look for regional flavors. Look at BBQ, all over the map with how it should be prepared and we all have our favorite. I may buy a little extra lamb and fry some up for the heck of it!

Hi Leslie, I am pleased you like steak and kidney pie.
The recipe is basically a casserole made using chuck steak (I think it may be Arm steak in the USA but I'm not certain-sorry) Ox kidney (although lambs kidney can be used but is more inclined to break up with the long slow cooking) Onions, Thyme, Beef Stock, S&P and Worcestershire sauce.
Cook onions until soft in oil or dripping and remove from frying pan (Skillet?)
Coat beef in flour and brown in small batches-if you put too much in together the meat will steam and not fry.Do the same with the kidney.
Add stock (sometimes ale is used) and rest of ingredients.
Transfer to a dish and cook in the oven for at least 2 hours. Allow to cool.
Line a pie dish with pastry (either shortcrust or puff pastry whichever you prefer)
Put the cooled meat filling into the pie dish and cover with pastry.
Brush with beaten egg and bake for about 30-40 minutes.

We also have a steak and kidney pudding dish but that is a steamed pudding made with suet flour.

Hope that helps.

Neil, I totally agree with you. Do you have the recipe for "beef and kidney pie" ? I know you use lamb kidney's, but that's all I can remember. My grandmother who is a "Brit" used to make this for me all the time. It also had a pie crust on top. Thanks for your help. Leslie

being an American, i found his attitude to be funny and up front...i enjoyed it, i didnt think it was snobby or rude...

Hey - what's wrong with smothering everything with cheese, or an imitation cheese-like product? Except for the health concerns, and the fact that everything will taste the same, and be very difficult to digest I mean. Quadruple cheese on everything please!