Shepherd’s pie is a minced meat pie with a crust or topping of mashed potato from English cuisine.
It has many variations but the main ingredients are minced red meat, cooked with onions, carrot, and some times peas, celery is added to enhance the richness and taste of the dish. And topped with a layer of mashed potato and baked.
What is the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s pie?
Cottage pie is made with minced beef and Shepherd’s pie is made with grounded lamb. Other than all the preparing process is the same.
Cottage pie is older than shepherd’s pie. It is a dish that originated around the time that potatoes were introduced in England. Potatoes were often used by the peasants, who lived in cottages. Later beef was replaced with lamb and thus the name comes from- The Shepherd’s Pie.
You can also prepare it with the leftover meat of any kind, and some mashed potatoes.
It is basically a casserole of a complete meal, with a layer of cooked meat and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes.
Nothing best when you get a spoonful of mashed potatoes, crispy bits, meat, and vegetables all in one bite.
It is a treat of comfort dinner.
Prep time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 45 mins
Level: medium-hard
Serving: 4 person
Non- vegetarian
Ingredients
For mash potatoes:
- Potato (medium size) – 8 nos
- Butter – 1/2 cup
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper (grounded) – to taste
- Cream – 1/2 cup
For the meat filling:
- Oil – 2 tablespoons
- Onion (chopped) – 1 cup
- Leeks (chopped) – 1/4 cup
- Celery (chopped) – 1/4 cup
- Bay leaf – 2 nos
- Carrots (peeled and small diced ) – 1/4 cup
- Green peas – 1/4 cup
- Garlic (minced) – 3 cloves
- Lamb minced – 1 1/2 cups
- Red wine – 1/4 cup
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper (grounded) – to taste
- Tomato paste – 2 teaspoons
- Fresh Rosemary leaves (chopped) – 1 teaspoon
- Fresh Thyme leaves (chopped) – 1 teaspoon
- Egg yolk – 2 nos
Method:
Preheat the oven at 220°c.
Wash and, peel the potatoes. Cut into dice and place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Cook over high heat.
Once boil, simmer and cook the potatoes until it is easily crushed with a spoon. Drain the potato in a colander. Mash the potato with the help of potato masher.
In a pan, add oil and butter, add mash potato, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously.
Add cream and whisk properly. Check the seasoning. Remove from heat and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaf, onion, leek, celery, and garlic. Saute. Add carrot, peas and cook for a few mins.
Add minced lamb, salt, and pepper and cook until browned. Deglaze with red wine. Add tomato paste, rosemary, thyme, and stir to combine together. Cook until the sauce is thickened slightly and lamb is completely cooked. Adjust the seasoning.
Heat the mashed potato and transfer it into a piping bag.
Transfer the lamb mixture into a baking dish and spread evenly. Layer the mashed potatoes with the help of piping bags. Seal properly by mash potatoes to prevent the mixture from bubbling up and smooth with a rubber spatula if required.
Beat egg yolk and brush it on potatoes.
Bake it until the potatoes begin to brown.
Serve hot with toasted bread.