For a very good reason, shepherd’s pie has remained popular in Britain over the years. Serving this comfort food makes any evening warmer, whether you’re having it with your family on Sunday, by yourself after school or in large portions throughout the week.You will find a detailed process for how to make shepherd’s pie with British lamb mince, Maris Piper potatoes and vegetables available in UK supermarkets.
Ingredients Required
First, prepare the stuffing for the ground meat.
| Ingredient | Amount | Additional |
|---|---|---|
| Hey! | ||
| Two-thirds lean | is delicious for lamb mince. | |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 1 medium | |
| You can either slice or grate the carrots | (medium in size) | |
| For flavor, use garlic cloves | 2 | (minced) |
| Tomato purée | 1 tablespoon | If you want your pasta to pop |
| Unofficial named used for the purpose | ||
| Fresh thyme | 1 teaspoon | If using; if you use rosemary, avoid adding more than one. |
| Stock (beef or lamb) | 300ml | from a stock cube |
| Peas | 100g | Include them at the end, if using |
| Olive oil or butter | for frying | |
| Add salt and pepper | whenever you think it’s needed |
For the mash on top:
List of ingredients, how much is used and any additional information above.
- Maris Piper potatoes 31.75–35.27oz Covered with peels, then cut into parts
- Replace the amount with more to make it creamier.
- Pop it in the nutri bulb and give it another go if the mixture is dry.
- If you prefer, use 50g of Mature Cheddar in the topping
- To season mash separately
Equipment Needed
- You need a pan that has a large surface.
- A saucepan can also be used for making mashed potatoes.
- A baking dish that can go in the oven (between 20cm and 30cm in size)
- Potato masher
- Wooden spoon
Method
In Step 1, Fill the Meat with Rice
- Heat the mixture of oil or butter in the pan on the stove at medium temperature.
- After adding chopped onion and carrot, give them a few minutes to cook till they become soft.
- After garlic comes the lamb mince. Fry the frozen meat until it browns and any pink color has disappeared.
- Add tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, some herbs and season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Pour the stock into the pot and allow it to simmer. Put the heat on low and cook the stew for 20 to 25 minutes, turning it over every few minutes. Include peas in the last 5 minutes of the process.
- Take the sauce off the stove when it is thickened and then keep it aside.
In the second step, make the mashed potatoes.
- Cook the chopped and peeled potatoes in seasoned water for 15 to 20 minutes until they become soft.
- Let the food drain for at least 1 minute and then let the steam dry the dish.
- Beat the mash with butter and a little milk until it becomes smooth. Sprinkle the spices to the tune of your enjoyment.
- To make your mash creamier, add some cheddar cheese to it.
The next step is to pile together the ingredients and bake them.
- 400°F (360°F fan) / Gas Mark 6.
- Place the meat mixture in a dish that can be put in the oven and flatten it with a spoon.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the dishes using a spatula.
- Blot the steak with a fork to give it good texture (that helps browning). An extra bit of cheese can be added if people fancy it.
- You should bake the bread until there is a golden color on the crust and the edges are bubbling.
Family Classic in Yorkshire: A True Story
Every autumn and winter, we can always find shepherd’s pie on our table in Leeds. On most occasions, I put the meat filling in the fridge the night before I use it. On weekdays, cooking is fast and easy: I boil the potatoes, toss everything into a pan and after about 30 minutes, everybody’s dinner is ready.
Storing & Use Of Rest
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Place the meat in containers or foil dishes for freeze storage for up to 3 months. Before reheating, defrost the food you want to eat.
- To reheat: Place in the oven for 20 minutes set to 180°C or use the microwave for one serving.
Nutritional & Diet Related Rules
Thinking of types of substitution plans
- Choose mince made from lamb with less fat or make it using a combination of lamb and lentils
- You can replace lamb with either Quorn mince or lentils.
- Use butter and milk that are free of dairy
- Instead of making the topping with potatoes, you can substitute mashed cauliflower.
Expert Tips
- Maris Piper and King Edward potatoes make the smoothest mashed potatoes.
- Give the filling some time to cool down, so the mash will not sink inside.
- Adding an egg yolk will help the mashed avocado achieve a richer colour and stick better when used.
- An option for dinner parties is to cook each dish in a ramekin.
For a serving size of this food, the rundown is as follows.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450 – 550 |
| Protein | 25g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 – 40g |
| Fat | Up to 20g (if lean/dairy-free) |
| Fibre | 6g |
Thoughts
Shepherd’s pie is a part of traditional British cuisine. It follows the traditionally simple process, doesn’t cost much and can be updated to fit people’s changing needs. Using just a few basic ingredients, spending a little time preparing them and adding a bit of love will help you enjoy a shepherd’s pie with your family.
Cooking for five or preparing food for a few in London? This dish always gives you a homemade feel and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What’s the difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?
A.This is the most frequent question and there is the easy answer! A conventional Shepherds Pie is always prepared using ground lamb (a shepherd herds sheep). Provided you use ground beef instead, technically it is a Cottage Pie. Therefore, by all means use any ground meat that you like, but you will now know its correct term!
Q.How do I keep the meat filling from being watery and making the potatoes soggy?
A.A liquid filling will spoil the entire thing, and it is simply corrected. The secret is to have a thick gravy dip and this is obtained by putting a small portion of flour into cooked meat and vegetables prior to the addition of the broth. You should also have the sauce also thicken a bit by simmering the filling (this will also help make the filling firm).
Q. What’s the best kind of potato to use for the mashed potato topping?
A.Russet or Idaho potatoes are the best ones to use for the fluffiest, tastiest, masher mashed potato topping. These types of hold up really nicely once they break down and mash up light and fluffy. Waxy like red or new potatoes can be gluey when mashed-so use them somewhere else.
Q. How do I get that beautiful golden-brown, slightly crispy top on the mashed potatoes?
A.It taste sooo good because of that beautiful crust! Once you have the filling spread with mashed potatoes, then use a fork to make little peaks and valleys throughout the surface of it. This will leave these ridges to get the heat and crispen right. The top of the loaf could be brushed on the top with some melted butter or egg yolk before putting the bread in the oven to get an additional gold look.
Q.Can I assemble a Shepherd’s Pie ahead of time?
A.Absolutely! Shepherd pie is the best make ahead dinner. Or you can completely make the whole pie, wrap it well with foil and keep in the refrigerator up to two days. Then when you want to heat it up just pop into the oven and add a few minutes to the time baking since it would be going in cold.
Q.What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
A.Use a microwave if you have to, but in doing so you may lose a bit of texture with the potato topping. The easiest way to revive a Shepherd’s Pie is to reheat individual portions in the oven or toaster oven at about 350 F (175 C). This helps the meat filling warm and bubbly while re-enclosing the mashed potato in a perfectly crispy top.
