Shepherd's pie recipe

Katgoddess

chatta wrote:

Has anybody mentioned tinned tomatoes I couldn't see them, you can drain juice if you think it will be to runny.

I don't use gravy either. I use a tin of tomatoes and a tin of baked beans. :drool:

cleo123

I put some finely chopped mushrooms in with the mince whilst it`s cooking ,
gives it a nice flavour .
I`m sure your mum will appreciate your effort ,
so few people cook now adays !!!

HAPPY COOKING :beer:

tawnyowls

apprentice_tycoon wrote:

If it helps (pedantic, moi?) - cottage pie is made with beef and shepherds pie is made with lamb, because of the sheep

Very true - in fact, real shepherd's pie should be made with minced cooked lamb; it was a way of using up leftover roast. That's why SP made with uncooked lamb mince is generally disgustingly greasy.

How many people call it cottage pie these days, I wonder. People generally seem to use shepherd's pie for a beef mince one.

I use beef mince, onions, carrots (sometimes mushrooms or peas, but always carrots - that's the essential ingredient for me). Cook onions till soft, brown mince, add onions and carrots, then make gravy. I cheat and use equal parts of onion and beef gravy granules, and make the gravy quite thick, as there's usually some liquid in the pan. Simmer till carrots are soft, tip into dish and leave to cool. In the meantime, boil spuds, mash with a hand masher and plenty of butter so they're not too sloppy. When meat is cool and has set a bit, I use a palette knife to slap spuds on, starting around the edge - I sort of draw the knife from the middle too the edge to seal the edges, then fill in the space in the middle. Fluff up with fork, sprinkle on some parsley, and put in oven till brown.

lolabug_2

I often add a bit brown sauce to my veggie shepherd-esque pie.

mikeywills

I have heard of a vegetarian alternative being called a shephardess pie before.

rchddap1

I tend to let the meat mixture cool down quite a bit before adding the mash. In fact, if I can I tend to chill it in the fridge. This way when it comes to putting the topping on the bottom doesn't tend to slosh around as much.

tawnyowls

mikeywills wrote:

I have heard of a vegetarian alternative being called a shephardess pie before.

That's Gillian McKeith's thing; IIRC, lentils covered with sweet potato mash.

Think I prefer the carnivore version!

robellett

I usually add some bean-sprouts, for extra taste, nutitional benefits and fibre.
And as others have said, carrots are essential.

sallywl

We have the shepardess pie too, I love both my moms recipe (meat) and G McK's (veggie) both taste completely different but both Yummy

cheap-n-cheerful

I always add a chopped up leek to the mash potato, must be the Welsh in me, makes it extra yummy with the cheese on top!! Yum Yum!