Shepherds Pie (British) - Reviews (Page 39) - Recipe

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SHEPHERDS PIE (BRITISH)

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.

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.

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

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Shepherds Pie (British)

· Dec 19 · #55625

Shep Floxbinite (United Kingdom) says:

In England we call 'English muffins' 'muffins'

· Dec 20 · #55721

Rob Grool (Hong Kong) says:

Good one Neil, would not use Bisto though - use real gravy, not chemicals. And you'r right about the cheese - never, ever. And certainly not that rubbish processed stuff that passes for cheese in the USA

· Dec 20 · #55730

Luke (United Kingdom) says:

I've just read all comments and found myself amused & informed in equal measures.

Pleasant to see so many Anglophile Americans who are proud of their British heritage, also liking the reviewers who complain about Neils manner, a level of earnestness that is absent in British society, a society that generally finds itself incapable of taking anything seriously (Its a lack-of-empire thing I think).

This is a fine recipe, have to agree with the comments saying that in England there is a different Shepherds pie for every person who has ever made it. Cheese on Top is popular in my house and many others, as are baked beans, marmite, garlic.. and so on

Some great alternatives and ideas here, long live the English language!

· Dec 20 · #55838

Rhonda (Massachusetts) says:

I have not tried this specific recipe but just had to laugh at Neil's comment about how we add cheese to "everything that moves." Hilarious! I'm an American with British and french roots and do not add cheese to my sheppard's pie as I find it too much. My own recipe is quite close to this one so it has to be good! I learned something new about the "shepperd" in shepperd's pie. Never put the lamb with the name but now it all makes sense.

· Dec 22 · #56066

Ron (Wisconsin) says:

would be 5 stars with cheese

· Dec 22 · #56201

Diane (Washington) says:

I found this recipe last year, was looking for another recipe on this site. I did make this dish without variations and enjoyed it. My hubby don`t care much for lamb, but ate it anyway. You are popular Neil, everyone`s still talking about this, lol.
I have a good sense of humor, so was not offended by your comments. Have a great day all!!

· Dec 22 · #56236

Cathy (Kansas) says:

Not being British, I found the Shepherd's pie recipe interesting and informative and as an American I was not the least bit offended. I did however, think that Cooks.com was a recipe site and NOT an opinion site. I just enjoy reading and trying the recipes and ignore the rest!

· Dec 23 · #56316

Sandra (Texas) says:

For the record, I'm a Scot, and my recipe for Shepherd's pie differs a bit, if only for the reason that we Scots get a little clearer air up in our part of the island----I only use real shepherd (sacrificial, and not by any means volunteer) in my pie. It adds a whang to the blandness.

· Dec 23 · #56359

Sherry (Texas) says:

I was happy to find a brits version of this recipe.. I have cooked for many years and love to see how others make their foods.. I personally found his comments entertaining, I had a good laugh.

· Dec 23 · #56431

Barbara Troia (Arizona) says:

Hey, When I make "shepherds pie" I usually use whatever leftovers are in the refrigerator - a good way to use them up, and get another great meal. I have made it with ground beef and took it to our "girls night out" potluck, and it was a MAJOR hit. Especially with the economy as it is, we must make use of what we have on hand. Merry Christmas to all!

· Dec 24 · #56627

Julie Thompson (Washington) says:

I agree with most of the reviews here, it is unnecessary to come across as so arrogant and rude. Let the recipe speak for itself. To add 'if you know what that is' is completely unnecessary. And as far as cheese? Chef Graham Norton (another Brit, imagine that!) does recommend Parmesan added to the potatoes for a nice golden browning. I'll not even bother with this recipe, I shall continue to hunt for a recipe from one who is not so full of himself.

· Dec 25 · #56655

Burlacchini (California) says:

He's just being faithful to the original recipe, but if you want to twist it and put marshmallows on top with grass, that's your problem. By the way, I'm Italian, and we don't appreciate crazy cooks twisting our original recipes either. Now go for your burger and fries and S U. Neil, thanks.

· Dec 25 · #56680

Rich (New Jersey) says:

Wonderful string! With family in Ireland we have made this recipe with either minced lamb or beef. I couldn't read every comment but in our recipe we add oxtail soup rather than Bisto. Either the dry powder (Knorr's) or Heinz' or Batchelors. Wonderfully sinful since the USDA has banned the import of beef products from Ireland and the UK due to irrational fears of BSE.

I would love to see the comments on beans/no beans in chili. Having lived in Texas, adding beans to chili is considered a hangin' offense!

· Dec 25 · #56751

Kathleen (Oklahoma) says:

A lovely rendering of a proper and simple, good, shepherd's pie. The comments about cheese and Americans were accurate and I certainly didn't find them "angry" or "snobbish" ... we Americans do tend to put cheese on everything, and a good shepherd's pie simply doesn't need cheese. Previous comments by readers of this site suggest they need to take off their chip-on-the-shoulder goggles.

· Dec 26 · #56852

Shawn (Ohio) says:

I agree with daisyzmom! Everyone chill! I appreciate an authentic recipe, thank you Neil; As for the rudeness, yes it was but SO WHAT! Do you want the real Shepherds Pie or don't you? Why don't you tell us Americans what Bisto is? I don't know & i'm curious now!

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