Good Lord! Here we are nearly the end of January and this comment thread is still alive! I just stumbled across this recipe, quite literally, by chance -- I wasn't even looking for Shepherd's Pie. But this recipe sounds pretty tasty, though I don't have a clue what 'Bisto' is; I'll have to google that one. By the way, Neil, I wasn't the least bit offended by your harmless jabs. And even though I, too, put cheese on just about everything, cheese and lamb doesn't sound very yummy to me either (and that's coming from an American).

What I want is a recipe for good old Pork Pies and Tiddy Oggies.

The recipe is fine, although I do the same as Catherine from California. I stumbled across this site and had a look through. I was feeling a little ill (sick u see) giggled my head off. Cookery seems a dangerous business lol :)

This is amazing. These comments have made my night at work alot less boring. I was surfing for recipes made with wine and as one person found, this recipe was brought up the most. I said to myself "self? What could be so great that this recipe would get so many hits?" then I started scrolling. You people have kept me entertained for quite some time (not saying how long because i'd feel like a bum). Thanks for the laughs.

lol lol lol It's 2010. This must be the longest discussion about one type of food ever. I personall don't like the taste of lamb so I don't use it. Better to use the concept then just not make it at all. I add green beans to mine though. And hey did any one ever think about using leftover chicken for the meat or turkey. Hummmmmm I might just have thought of a way to get rid of the turkey in the freezer. Thanks for the laugh it made my day.

I'll just pop me a tub of popcorn and read the drama on a recipe website. :)

OMG! I can't believe all these comments! Cheese, no cheese, beef, lamb, gravy, grease, american, brits, who cares...?! Make it the way your family enjoys it and be glad you have something to eat. Not all people do, they would probably eat any versions of the pie, and say "thank you, it was delicious!" I think there are more important subjects to argue about, but food? Really!!!!!!

I thought it was funny but I'm a Brit too. Anyway, Shepherds Pie in my opinion is greatly improved with a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce! Infact, I dont measure, I just shake it in! Also, if you are watching your weight, its not bad made with ground turkey but that's a whole other story...

Interesting discussion! Great to see so many people so passionate about cooking in these modern times of take out and fast food. My grandmother, full-blooded Scotch, was raised on a sheep ranch and cooked for the shepherds (sheep herders) and other hired help. Her version of shepherd's pie included lamb of course, because it was easily available. Later on after she married she made it w/ beef as they were in the beef business, and they butchered often. My mom also made it, mostly w/ beef. It was a good dish to easily adapt to use up left overs or make do w/ a lack of ingredients because she shopped for groceries about once a month. Sometimes cheese was necessary if some of the other ingredients were sparse. It was always delicious and a good way to feed a bunch. Sometimes folks get too carried away w/ perfection, but thanks for the lively entertaining discussion, regardless!

Wow I thought I was having flashbacks to the political blogs, Great Recipe...But I'm a yank and we gotta have cheese :)

Always wanted to make shepherd's pie but never have. If lamb is the only meat to use I will never make this because I do not like lamb any way I have had it. It is too strong tasting for me so I would rather use beef if I mad it. From all the fuss, I think I will stick to chicken pot pie.

Gosh Darn people lighten up the author of the recipe is correct shepherds pie is made with lamb. Bisto is an English gravy mix and is not available everywhere. To find ground lamb look in the freezer section of your supermarket where the lamb is kept. It comes in the same roll packaging that ground sausage meat comes in and is usually labelled New Zealand Ground Lamb. With all the problems in the world today you have the time to knit pick over a cook and how a recipe is written, good gracious. Try digging deep for you sense of humour who knows it may be under your cheese.

Offensive, indeed! Just another American trait besides putting cheese on everything: Being offended. He's a little caustic and not someone I would like to know, but he does make some valid points. The version of SP that I found was called hamburger pie made with green beans tomato soup and hamburger topped with mashed potatoes. It's the only way I could get my kids to eat green beans; they loved it. Fragmentfour: "more tonnage" LOL! Exactly!

Wow what a read! I was looking for something to make with blueberries and stumbled across this recipe. I like what my family calls shepherds pie. But I make it with beef, cream of mushroom soup, green beans and cheese.

It is not necessary to post opinions with recipes. I just want the recipe, not someone telling me I'm a bad cook for putting something else in the dish that my family loves. I have made this recipe without cheese and neither of my sons touched it. I made the so called "cottage pie" and they gobbled it right down. I understand this is a traditional dish for you, but please don't put down others for trying new things.