Wow, thanks for the drama!!! I was just looking for a shepherd's pie recipe but this is an added bonus! I'll be sure to make it.....sounds wonderful. No cheese for me, cheese has it's place and it's not with this heavy meal!

The recipe really sounds great! Haven't tried it yet, but look forward to making it. Thanks Neil for the recipe- we really do appreciate it. I am USA born and raised. It's nice to have a Brit tell it like it is. No offense taken. Life is good-food is great-friends are better!

I've made Shepherds pie often. I know lamb is the correct way. I usually use boneless pork chops in mine. To each his own I guess.

I make my version of "Shepards Pie" with hamburger and a can of Campbells Veggie Beef Soup and instant mashed potatoes, oh and lets not forget the Cheese :) I like it, my family likes it and we aren't expecting any Brits over any time soon so I think I'll stick with the way I do it!!! And don't forget Butter, butter goes in everything in my house, yep even "Shepards Pie" Love the South :)

Sounds like a good friendly dose of NATIONALISM to me!!! There is nothing wrong with being proud of your heritage and customs, and nothing wrong with tooting that horn!! Seems like more and more Americans have lost that feeling of nationalism and pride in their country.

The beauty of having recipes is being able to change ingredients to what you would like according to your taste.
There's no law nor recipe etched in stone to make you prepare a recipe to someone's else liking. Therefore, enjoy cooking and sharing recipes.

This has made me laugh sooo much, Im a brit of irish and scottish descent and regularly make shepherds pie with beef, I know its really cottage pie but I dont care AND i put cheese on top - hope Neil never finds out where I live or I could be in trouble !!! LOL. Have enjoyed the banter but please American people NEVER DISS THE BISTO - its the best!! HAHAHA, enjoy your pies !! xx

OMG, I have never had such fun finding a recipe. If someone is having a bad day, please read all of the above comments.

I have been making Shepaerd's Pie for 40 years with beef and have only recently discovered how thyme mixed with the veggies/meat and cheddar cheese mixed in the mashed potatoes can really enhance the flavor but have never used a fork for the basket effect.

BYW, we visited England & Scotland several years ago and absolutely loved it.
**A Texan**

As another stateside Brit/Irishman I feel compelled to join in the chorus. Shepherd's pie has to be made with lamb, of course, otherwise it's something else. Nick's recipe is the generally accepted way to make it, though I'd say peas are more traditional than celery. You need to use dried green peas in the states, as the canned and frozen ones are almost sweet/garden peas, not the usual brit-type (not sure how 'traditional' Bisto is, but that's okay...). Unfortunately, reasonably-priced lamb is hard to get here (in Michigan), and most supermarkets don't stock it at all. I love it, but it's also about the fattiest meat there is, so would probably avoid it these days anyhow. And yes, I would sprinkle a little english or irish cheddar cheese on top of mine, just like my mum did. The British definition of 'a little' seems to vary from the usual US definition, of course. I don't mean cover it with cheese! :-)

Neil was definitely rude especially the bit about the bis to. and also the stuff you pour of the cooked meat is called drippings (grease). it is not gravy til you add a thickening agent. thank you very much. so in short take your meds. sincerely
Trevor

oh boy what a dish ummmmm

Now I know the proper way to make Shepherd's Pie. Thank you Niel very much. I love your real dry British humour. It is great. Reminds me of my first trip to England in 1999. I heard all the British sayings I had grown up with. That wonderful sense of humour is what got the Brits through the war. Great recipe. Can't wait to try it. By the way, Bisto is a brown gravy maker in a little brown box. It is about 4 inches high and maybe 1 1/2 inches across.

Well, I enjoyed the recipe and the comments so had to add mine. My Mom (Irish/Scottish decent..Canadian) always made Shepherd's Pie with ground beef, carrots, mashed potatoes and...a pastry top crust! Now I know that it was a Gilhooley special as opposed to the real McCoy. And I loved it. I hate lamb so I am glad that she did not really know how to make the real deal and I would sadly miss the dish without the fabulous pastry crust.

Of English/Scottish extraction I was brought up in Australia and in our house shepherds pis was made with leftover meat from the Sunday roast. This took care of a great deal of the fattiness as it was rendered out in the initial baking. Cheese on top? - never heard of it before coming across American versions of the dish. We served vegetables on the side and tomato sauce (ketchup). The left over gravy used to moisten we never made with bistro but from the roast's dripping and vegetable stock, in the roasting pan, with occasional added Parisian essence for colouring. A very different dish from all those described above.

Sounds like a great recipe, We have done the Americanized version but have had the British version, both are yummy!