Episode 9: Shepherd's Pie

 

I love Shepherd's Pie, especially if it's done the right way. Most of your recipes will call for ground or minced beef. This is wrong. An actual Shepherd's Pie is made with ground lamb hence it's name. When you use ground beef or minced beef that is a Cottage Pie. It's the same ingredients just different names. If you don't want to use lamb that is perfectly fine, just know it is a different name. With that let's get into it.

SHEPHERD'S PIE

• 1 pound ground lamb (or beef if you don't like lamb)
• 1/2 small onion, minced
• 1/4 tsp white ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp dill
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp sage
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 can sweet peas, drained
• 1 can sliced carrots, drained
• 4 large potatoes, russets work best
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2-3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tbsp parsley
• 1 packet of instant brown gravy or jar gravy

In a stove top also oven safe skillet (stainless steel with a stainless steel handle or an iron skillet), add a little olive oil and the onion. Add the ground lamb along with the spices. Cook through. Remove from heat then add the peas and carrots. Stir together.

Peel and cut the potatoes. Add to a pot of water or desired stock and bring to a boil. Remove from heat once potatoes are tender. Drain and mash. Add cream, butter and parsley. Stir together and set aside. 

Mix up instant brown gravy mix or heat up jar gravy. Add gravy to lamb and vegetable mixture. Stir. Top with mashed potatoes spreading them across the top. 

Transfer the entire skillet to a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20-25 minutes or until top is solid to touch (there might be golden touches to the potatoes). Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

There are some folks who enjoy putting a layer of their favorite cheese between the meat and potatoes before baking. It adds another dimension to the dish. If you have trouble getting your mashed potatoes just right there is no shame in using instant potatoes. You can also substitute the canned vegetable for frozen if you have that on hand. You can change a recipe and make it your own. Why not?!

If you want to see a video tutorial on this recipe check out my TikTok at mrs_sheenak.