Hey Neil, thanx for the recipe - I have eaten cottage pie for years, I am an American originally from South Africa - have always known it to be made with beef and then my husband mentioned Shepards pie and although I had heard of it was a little confused - so thank you for clearing that up for me - I am a HUGE lover of lamb and mutton so will definitely be trying that one out. As for the cheese on everything - I agree with you on that although your tone was rather rude - but then thats your perogative - although I am a huge cheese lover, I couldnt believe the pages and pages of cottage cheese pie recipes and only found one almost on the last page without - so will have to try that one over my mothers. - I must admit you must have hit a sore note hey hahahahahah so many replies - anyway thanx again and will give it a try - Happy New Year

A traditional shepard's pie recipe from the UK. That is Neils contribution. Just to clarify, I am an American whom is wholly of English, Irish, and Scottish blood. I find Neils comments to be somewhat arrogant and claiming British "previous rights" to a recipe that has "stolen ingredients" used in it from around the world. Traditional normally means that something has been "this way" for eons throughout the history of a peoples. So, with that all said, how does one claim tradition when the ingredients are not at all native to your own country? I am having a bit of a time imagining a poor shepard visiting the village to buy some Bistro and beef stock to use in his/her "pie" in order to ensure it is "traditional". This was, and is, a recipe that originated from people with little means at their disposal. Do you think any of them were worried about the type of meat they used in it, or maintaining the purity of a recipe? They were hungry, and used whatever they had on hand in order to feed their families with a tasty meal. Personally, I could care less about a recipe being "traditional" and/or prepared just as the elders did it back when. Especially when they were just winging it with some new found foods from the America's. The very unique and required ingredients for this dish are not native to the UK. Since when did the traditional shepard enhance his meals with the addition of potatoes/Bistro/ and beef stock? Was he able to find these ingredients at his local meadowland grocery store? What I care about is HOW DOES IT TASTE? If it tastes good, I am quite happy, no matter what the ingredients are!!! Neil, you are proclaiming that only the British know how to prepare a dish that has it's ingredients born in the Americas. Perhaps you might wish to research how you poor blokes were taught to make this dish using American foods from the North and South American continents. So much for tradition!!!!

I really dont get the commotion. I understang how neill feels about other people altering classic recipes and calling it shepherds pie. Some people even scoff at the idea of putting anything other than cheese and meat in a cheeseburger or putting ketchup instead of relish on hot dogs. I'm guessing some people here take his comments to seriously cause they are American and must have done it themselves. Haha. Cause it sure sounds like the guilty defending him/herself..

Jus' checkin' in on this thread. I love it! Controversy amongst the cooks.

Down South (USA) we've been eatin' our collard greens, cornbread and blackeye peas. Back to the Shepherd's Pie next week. Never heard of Cottage Pie until I read Neil's recipe. Nice to get educated.

Thanks for the info, and thanks for the laughs :)

Neil, THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION between the two dishes. My mom is English, Scottish and Irish and my Dad was Italian. For whatever reason, be it financial or personal preference, she always made it with ground beef, a layer of corn or mixed vegetables and did the basket thing on the top of the chunky potatoes. We loved it!! There was never cheese in it and I'm Canadian with American cousins. There was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG with what you wrote and I did not find any of your comments prejudicial or offensive. I DO believe that many people are FAR TOO OFTEN OVER SENSITIVE and have other underlying issues that cause them to look for something and someone to target. You were the 'winner' in their subconscience hunt. They need therapy AND medication!! I can't wait to see how many colons are tied in a knot from MY comments! Killing myself laughing!! Way to go Neil!!

Ok, I just can't resist...What I find hilarious here is how Neil's recipe made it to the "most active list" just by all the stupid people's comments who care about some stupid pie... and YES I do realize I'm one of them!

I found all the comments interesting and I could not help but to add my two cents or two variations.
Try whatever you want to call this receipe with:
-slightly cooked cornbread as bottom layer.
-canned green beans, instead of corn.
-I would suggest ground beef as your meat.
-cheese if you please.
Thanks for the info, no offense.

I put cheese on everything, AND I LIKE IT. I'm American. This recipe sounds good though. Brits are usually very wry and their sense of humor is odd. I like it though. Alot of them really dislike Americans. They call us all fat and lazy. ~shrugs~ I don't care though, I'll always eat cheese. ;)

As an American (home of the greatest invention known to mankind - the cheeseburger) and as a native Angelino who has been eating McDonald's since the '50's, I fear it is time to quote once again the great Rodney King - "Folks, can't we just get along." If this keeps up, I expect L.A. will be burned to the ground again, out of pure frustration. Great recipe and great comments.

I must say this has been very interesting. I must admit lamb scares me - I'm just a country girl looking for a good ole' "cottage pie" recipe. Anyone up to a good ole' American version? I would appreciate the info-thanks.

"Cottage Pie Girl" is true blue - from Arkansas! My grandmother made this when I was a young girl, I have not had "cottage pie" since. I didn't know it was "cottage pie" always thought it was "shepherd pie" but I admit the cow did "moow' and not 'BAAH"

I thought this was fun. Read it to DH before reading all the comments we both laughed. Then got to the comments and laughed even more. I feel like rewind was hit and I woke up back in high school. I guess some people if they cant find drama they make their own.

OK,...so this has really taken off since my last post in Oct?? Well, I've made it twice since then, and used BEEF!! So that, according to my British house guests makes it Cottage Pie, although they really didn't seem all that hung up on it.LOL, but I have to say this has become very amusing to scroll through and read!!

Neil's recipe has kept me from making a horrible mistake. Tomorrow was going to be Shepherd's Pie day, made with beef. I'll never sin again, from now on it's Cowboy or Wrangler Pie. Anyway, we can't find lamb here in my part of Louisiana.