Shepherds Pie (British) - Reviews (Page 53) - 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 23 · #88746

Queen Liz (Arizona) says:

Recipe is great and authentic........just how misunderstood is the British sense of humour?......get over yourselves and make the bloody recipe the right way it should be made.....OR NOT! Who cares what you eat in your own home?

· Dec 23 · #88806

Camille Roxanne (Connecticut) says:

OMG! MEOW! Get a life all of you. Do whatever makes you happy and leave poor Neil alone. Go Neil! And, I am a BRIT!

· Dec 27 · #89427

Carol (Kentucky) says:

So funny, I love the English and their sense of humor (oops 'humour' don't want to start another blog war over spelling). We have been discussing Shepherd's Pie since I decided to make it last night. Everyone has their own memories of Mom's Shepherd's Pie. Neil, thanks for the education. I think I'll send everyone over the edge and suggest chopped Spam as a variation. Spam, with a layer of corn and topped with mashed potatoes laced with Parmesean.

· Dec 27 · #89465

Ruth (United Kingdom) says:

Cottage Pie: Beef Cheese- Fair Enough if you prefer

Shepherds Pie: Lamb Cheese-- Never in a million years if you possess a taste bud!

· Jan 5 · #90413

Diane (Florida) says:

I haven't made it yet, but love authentic recipes and can't wait to try it. Frankly, I found your comments to be pretty spot on about us Americans. If we can put cheese on it, hell yeah. And while we're at it, let's put too much cheese. We do love excess!! Thanks for the true thing and the laugh. Some of us like to cook for real too.

· Jan 12 · #91069

Andrea (Massachusetts) says:

I am of Scottish ancestry and know that a true Shepherds pie is made w/baaaaaaaa lamb not mooooooo-beef and yes,please hold that cheese for my favorite Italian dishes. Andrea from Massachusetts but born in AZ.

· Jan 23 · #92171

Ms C (Florida) says:

I agree with Neil. I am constantly telling people the difference, as if the name does not make it clear enough (Shepherds pie...ie LAMB!!!) Listen if you put a spin on it, say it's your version of the dish, and make sure people know it's not traditional. Actually, it becomes something else when you change it....either way, when you are passionate about something, and people continue to say, and do what is contrary, yes it gets on your nerve. I honestly can't imagine putting cheese with traditional shepherds pie or cottage pie. The gravy speaks for itself and needs no help. Thanks Neil!!!

· Feb 12 · #93963

John O'Connell (Michigan) says:

Neil. Did I give you this recipe? Its just as I make it and your comments about the cheese are so true. Cheers, John.

· Feb 14 · #94152

Joy (Maryland) says:

Neil's recipe is wonderful! I have made it several times now and everyone loves the dish! I too wanted to make a authentic Shepards pie. The lamb cooked slowly in the oven for a couple hours is excellent. I grew up in Wisconsin and we owned a family cheese factory. I'm not offended about the cheese comment. I love cheese but not for this wonderful lamb dish. Thanks Neil this is a favorite meal for us! We are having it for our dinner tonight! five stars!!!

· Feb 26 · #95061

FarmWife (Ohio) says:

Since most everyone in this conversation seems to have a good grip on their cooking--have any of you cooked Goat Meat? And if so, what's your spin?? I've heard many things--but want to know if anyone has had any success?

· Apr 22 · #99321

Maggie (Texas) says:

Recipe great, recipe commentary even better. Would anybody watch ANYTHING on the food network if they just stated the recipe in a monotone? That would be a no, and you're lying if you said yes. Way to have an opinion Neil ;)

· Apr 23 · #99374

Steve (Florida) says:

Can someone please tell me what "a good mashing potato" is? Do I have to import it? And will Fedex or UPS deliver it? I am certain the potatoes grown here in the USA are totally different from those grown in England. And finally: if I use homegrown American potatoes, can I still call it Shepherds pie?

· May 12 · #100615

Melissa (Florida) says:

Wow, haven't visited these comments for over a year, but remembered having a little fun last time I read them! You know what my mother called Shepherd's pie? Beef mixed with green beans and tomato soup topped with mashed potatoes. I guess people only use gourmet ingredients if they can afford them. Now that we kids are grown up and out of the home, my mom makes a lot of more expensive dishes! Good for all you mothers out there who do their best to provide us kids with food three times a day. Happy Mother's Day!

· Jun 12 · #102595

BedHead (United States) says:

Neil, I love your recipe and your writing! Now, could you please post a nice, authentic British recipe for Cottage Pie?

· Aug 31 · #108082

Robin Plante (New Hampshire) says:

Neil, you are a snob. I much prefer Vanessa's recipe. I don't need to make something with a hundred and one ingredients in it. Plus, I'm American. We can make one meal several different ways. Your recipe isn't written in stone.

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