Shepherd’s Pie has a very interesting history, and I never actually did any research on it how it was born until very recently.
This tasty dish is cooked in many countries and, of course, it is loved here in the USA. What’s not to love, it’s meat and potato pie?
Shepherd’s pie actually is an Irish specialty, most of the time made with lamb or mutton, known as sheep meat.
However, if you can’t find minced or ground lamb you can use ground beef just like I did here.
Well, sometimes this is also called a Cottage pie, but that a very similar dish to this one.
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Basically Cottage pie was called because people lived in cottages and after Sunday roast, unused meat was repurposed into a pie using affordable potatoes as a crust.
Ireland and the UK had such a deep contentious connection so both the British and Irish have attachment as well as love for shepherd’s pie and could possibly claim its origins.
Having said that, traditional Irish meal is the lamb-made dish known as shepherd’s pie, whereas the British version is made with beef.
Why? Well, because historically the Irish weren’t big beef eaters, and the British were.
Either way, you call it, shepherd’s pie or cottage, it was at the time the food of poor people, but nowadays it brings pure comfort to so many.
Let me just say that my family passionately loves shepherd’s pie. I don’t make it often enough, but when I do, a whole dish is spotlessly clean.
Also, I know it’s not traditional, but sometimes I even add mashed or refried beans as well. You have no idea how delicious that is. It’s like an explosion of flavor.
Other than that, I don’t add anything out of the ordinary, except maybe cheese. I mean, let’s get it real, everything tastes better with cheese, at least in my eyes! 🙂
Seriously, you guys can use whatever veggies you have or what’s in the season.
I made this before with roasted mashed sweet potatoes, cauliflower mash, and use what I had in my fridge. Extremely versatile!
We really love it in any way possible. Hey if you try this one please tag me on Instagram @sandraseasycooking #sandraseasycooking so I can see your creation. Thank you in advance!
RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 2 Lb (900g-1kg) potatoes, peeled, quartered and boiled, w/ 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbs. putter + 3/4 Cup of Milk or cream + salt to taste
- 1 Tbs. oil
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 celery rib, diced
- 1/4 cup carrot diced
- 1/4 cup peas
- 1/4 cup of corn
- 1/4 cup green beans
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley or freshly chopped about 1/8 cup
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste, a generous pinch of both
- Additional: 1 cup Shredded Cheese, it is optional
Instructions
- After potatoes, boiled and they are tender with the masher, mash, and add butter, milk, and salt to taste. Mash until smooth, cover and set aside. If you have leftover mashed potatoes that work as well.
- In a skillet, add oil, preheat then add onion and celery, and cook for a minute or two, then add ground beef or lamb, stir and let it cook until it is no longer pink or raw.
- Add other ingredients. I used a mixture of frozen vegetables since I always have those and they are quite good and inexpensive; so add, carrots, peas, corn, etc., season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook on medium-high for about 5 minutes.
- Preheat oven at 375F (190C) and in the baking dish/deeper, add meat and veggies first, then spread equally mashed potatoes (Add cheese on top, if you want more or less it’s up to you).
- Bake for 20 minutes (or until the Cheese is bubbly and melted).
- Serve it with a bowl of mix greens or whatever saad to have on hand.