This week while discussing with my husband what foods we should make for dinner I stated I wanted to try something traditionally british for the blog. He suggested one of his favorites, Shepherds Pie and so we have our blog post! After doing some research I came to discover the main difference between Shepherds and Cottage pie are the types of meat used in them. So feel free to make it with beef if you don’t like lamb or can’t find it at your local grocery store, however, you will then have Cottage Pie. 

This is my first traditional british dish I’m making since I’ve arrived here in England and I’m so excited about it! This Shepherds’ Pie is rich and meaty topped with creamy whipped potatoes that are crunchy and topped with cheese! If this meal doesn’t scream comfort food I don’t know what does. It’ll go great with any cold or rainy weather you happen to be experiencing! 

So enough chit chat I hope you enjoy!

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Preparation

1. Place large pot on burner add 1 Tbs olive oil and heat until shimmering.
2. Place potatoes into a pot, cover with water and boil until fork tender.
3. While potatoes are cooking make your mince mixture.
4. Add lamb and pork mince and brown.
5. While mince is browning add 2 peeled and grated carrots, 1 small diced onion, 1 small diced stalk of celery, 2 Tbs of minced garlic. Sauté until veggies are soft.
6. Once meat is browned and veggies are cooked make a well in centre of meat and add in tomato paste and cook until heated, less than a minute, mix into meat and add Worcestershire, seasonings and stock cubes.
7. Mix until all are combined, taste, and add more seasonings and flavours as needed.
8. Add in wine and water and reduce the liquid until almost gone.
9. Taste mixture to make sure its flavoured to your liking and spread into a baking dish
10. Preheat oven to 395 F or 200 C
11. Once potatoes are ready warm butter, milk and garlic until butter is melted.
12. Pour over potatoes and mash until desired consistency. Adding more milk, butter, garlic, salt and pepper until pleased.
13. Mix cheese into the potatoes and spread on top of mince mixture, texture with a fork to create little tufts of potatoes
14. Bake for 20 min, sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese on top and bake no more than 10 min until golden brown
15. Serve and Enjoy!!

Tips

I would recommend using a dry red wine for this, but if you happen to have any lying around the house already open feel free to use it.

It’s also important to make sure the potatoes are tufted because it gives you these really great crispy bits of potato and cheese when it comes out of the oven.