Paul’s shepherd’s pie was just what we needed at the end of a cold, raw day. recipe below…
Shepherds Pie
This is a favorite pub food in England and Ireland. It is equally good whether made with fresh or left over ground lamb. Chopped or ground beef substituted for the lamb makes cottage pie.
Place in a large cold pot of cold water over medium heat:
• 1 1/2 pounds all purpose potatoes, peeled, quartered and rinsed
Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water. Mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher, adding the cooking water along with:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• salt, ground pepper to taste
Beat with a wooden spoon until fluffy. Preheat oven to 400oF. While the potatoes are cooking, heat in a medium skillet over medium low heat:
• 3 tablespoon olive oil
Add:
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 carrot peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 15 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add:
• 1 pound leftover cooked lamb, finely chopped or 1 pound raw ground lamb
Cook for about 5 minutes stirring to brown evenly. If using raw lamb cook for 10 minutes more, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Spoon off any fat. Add:
• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
Cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add:
• ¾ cup beef or vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• pinch of ground nutmeg
• salt & ground pepper to taste
Reduce the heat to simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Let cool slightly, then remove to a 9 inch pie plate or baking dish. Spread the mash potatoes over the top making irregular peaks with the tines of a fork. Scatter over the top:
• 2 tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces
Bake until potatoes are browned & the dish is heated all the way through; about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly, then serve directly from the baking dish.
Baked by Paul, from Joy of Cooking, Irma Rombauer