Sheperd’s Pie

Last day of the minced meat week and for today we will be making some Shepherd’s pie. Sheperd’s pie or for others “Cottage pie”, is a type of meat pie served in a crust of mashed potatoes. Though Shepherd’s pie and Cottage pie looks synonymous due to present day usage both are different dishes. Now what is the difference between the two? It’s actually simple as shepherd’s pie uses lamb or mutton while Cottage pie uses beef.

People started using the term “cottage pie” since 1791 when the potato was introduced as an edible crop for less affluent people. During those time “cottage” was the word to define a modest dwelling for rural workers, and this dish is commonly served during those days. The term “shepherd’s pie” became known during 1877 and it was named after sheep-takers which denotes the meat used. The original ingredients used are leftover roasted meats which makes this dish is a way good to recycle leftovers. Since then it changed a lot, vegetables are added and meat was changed to minced and it is refined to what we all know of now.

Ingredients (Meat Filling)

700g minced beef or lamb
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup green peas
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup red wine
6 cloves garlic, minced
fresh rosemary
fresh thyme
salt
freshly ground black pepper
olive oil

Ingredients (Mashed Potatoes)

750g potatoes
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
4 tbsp butter
2 egg yolks
salt

Method (Meat Filling)

1. In a pan add oil then sauté garlic and onion. Once onions are soft add minced meat until brown.
2. Add rosemary, thyme, carrots, corn and green peas.
3. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and red wine. Cook for 5 minutes in medium heat.
4. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set it aside.

Method (Potatoes)

1. In a pot add water and 1 tsp of salt. Once boiling add potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes or until soft.
2. Peel the potatoes then place it in a bowl together with cream, parmesan, butter, egg yolks and salt. Mash it with potato masher or fork then mix well.
3. Place in a piping bag.

Method (Shepherd’s pie)

1. Place meat mixture in a bake ware or ramekins up to 2/3 but not lesser than half the height.
2. Pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture.
3. Bake in a 200C preheated oven for 20 minutes.