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| SHEPHERDS PIE (BRITISH) | |
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Before we start, let us be clear and lets get it right. Shepherds pie is made with lamb, cottage pie is made with beef. Never in the history of the British isles has cheese ever come close to either. If you see cheese anywhere near a recipe for either, put it down to the USA's obsession to add cheese to anything that moves - it doesn't generally belong with meat unless you desire lead in your stomach, this said. 1 lb. lean lamb, minced 1 large onion, sliced 1 medium carrot, chopped 1 stick celery, chopped enough beef stock to cover salt and pepper 3 to 4 tsp. corn starch or 2 Bisto (if you know what it is) and 1 corn starch 2 lb. good mashing potatoes 4 oz. (1 stick) butter salt and pepper Let's get this right and the best way: Add minced lamb into a casserole dish, add onion, carrot, celery, beef stock, corn starch and/Bisto/corn starch, salt and pepper, to taste, and stir. Cook in a slow oven, say 275°F for 2 hours. You can do all this on stove top for about 20 minutes BUT the flavor is never the same. When complete, drain off gravy and reserve.
Add back enough gravy to the meat to make it moist. Gently add the potato to the top and build up. Spread with a fork, finally making fork marks both up and down and across to form a basket like pattern. Put oven temperature at 400°F, then bake until potato is crispy and golden on the peaks (about) 30 minutes. Serve with remaining gravy and steamed cabbage (preferably Savoy, if you can get it). NO CHEESE, PLEASE. Submitted by: Neil - a Brit | |
Boil and mash potatoes with milk, butter, salt and pepper, however DO NOT make it into a wet paste. It should be firm and almost chunky.| 967 reviews | Add review Share |
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recipe reviews #39572
Vickie (Texas) says:
This was terrific. And no cheese was added anywhere. I did prepare the lamb mixture in the crock pot, but that was the only change I made.
#39517
Erin (Missouri) says:
For the record (not that there IS one) my husband is american and he won't eat anything WITHOUT cheese.
#39473
Paul (United States) says:
traditional shepherd pie is made with cubed left over roast lamb, not minced lamb. and cheese on top i not an american thing.it is on lots of recipes.average american has no clue about making this dish
#39468
Hippie Ron (Florida) says:
I found this recipe rather flavorless (like most British foods)... without adding 1/2 pound of cheese... Preferably American cheese... but your favorite will work... just add between stew and potato layers... Oh ya where's the 'shrooms...
#39391
Shayleen (Connecticut) says:
This is one of my favorite recipes. Very delicious and easy to make.
#39178
Mamakooky (New Zealand) says:
Thanks for the awesome recipe, Love the sarcasm too, adds spice lol:) I admire your honesty, come on guys get it right!! YUM!YUM!
#39122
Coco (Massachusetts) says:
I am a senior Brit and grew up on Shepherds Pie I have a very old recipe from a very old English Cook Book and in this recipe they put in a can of concentrated mushroom soup which keeps it very moist and instead of bisto you can add gravy browning.
#39100
Lettie (South Africa) says:
Here in South Africa we do distinquish between the two versions as Neil , but no carrots or celery are added. Myself however- sometimes add grated carrots and turnip , but it's not traditional in S.A. For flavour Worcester sauce or ground cloves are added.
#39045
Robin (Texas) says:
You are so right about brits food.I hate to say it, but the only thing that is pleasing to the palate in England is the wonderful indian cusine. Sorry, but I almost starved...
#39006
Garpamike (Germany) says:
Lighten up folks and let Neil have his moment. He's a Brit and there are not too many decent food dishes the Brit's can come up with. This one was alright.
#38879
Phil (Oklahoma) says:
I enjoy Neil's attitude. Pro brit it seems. Like the world cup, it comes with cheese
#38184
Sathi (Virginia) says:
I make 'cottage' pie with ground bison and season the meat(after browning it a bit) with ketchup (yes, ketchup!), worchestershire sauce, pepper, salt, garlic powder, rosemary,thyme and plenty of parsley along with vegetables, mushrooms and onion and cook it until the meat cooks through and turns a rich, savory color. I then transfer it to a baking dish, layer the top with readymade mashed potato and pour bechamel sauce over it (butter, milk, flour mixture) and then top it with grated parmesan and bake it until it browns on top. I know it's anything but traditional, but it's a huge hit with my friends and family.
#36966
Emily (New Jersey) says:
Wow. This recipe was amazing!!! Delish!!! Might I add, I don't think he was trying to be rude- he was just attempting to explain how to get the best flavor...
#36644
Janice (Tennessee) says:
I not only put cheese in it; I put it on top of those potatoes. I add a lattice of ketsup on top of the corn. It's great. I guess Neil's version would taste bland (like most Brit food)
#36508
Trixie (United States) says:
WOW this discussion went on for quite a few months...... Neil I think your comments were definitely called for....Shepherd's Pie is made with Lamb. Plain and simple. Who do you think is watching the sheep? Where do you think the recipe got it's name... this is super entertaining and funny.
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