shepherds pie info

[abell65]

People magazine put out a shepherds pie recipe few years back. It was around halloween I remember because the recipe was halloween themed. Would love to have it again, if anyone can help.

[abell65]

ty coll, mugen, & bishop for replies!

[coll]

You're welcome, I have my own Shepherds Pie recipe that I developed myself over the years, however it's probably totally different than the one you are looking for. And yes, I do melt a bit of white cheddar on top, it adds a certain something to the dish.

[bishopsbitter]

I'd definitely go for a recipe from a UK or Irish source. This dish isn't as easy to make as it seems by any means if you want to achieve the ideal ratio of meat to gravy to mashed potato (I don't, myself, like recipes which add cheese [or, saints Preserve Us Tomato!] to the equation).

Essentially you need a really good recipe for lamb (for purists) or beef (quite common in the UK) mince stew, then make fresh mashed potatoes (with lots of butter) and in shallow baking tray combine the latter on top of the former. There has to be enough solid in the mince stew to not let the potatoes "drown" but also enough sauce to also keep everything moist (although it can be served with extra gravy).

As I say, it's not that easy. Easier (perhaps) when made in larger quantities than smaller also.

Not always a fan of Mr Brown but in this case he probably has weighed the equations above.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/al...

[mugen]

Shepherd's Pie is, by definition, lamb. It would be Cottage Pie if it used beef.

[abell65]

no it was beef lol i prefer ground turkey though. So yes not true shepherds pie but taste here in Okla is rather jaded. ty bishopsbitter for suggestion ill look into it!

[mugen]

Err, no really - Shepherd's Pie is only made from mutton/lamb (shepherds tend to sheep, get it?). Pedantic point, sure, and maybe the author just misnamed it, but there are no two ways about it.

[abell65]

not trying to debate it mugen, i know the history of it. just really liked the recipe lol

[Harters]

Here in the UK, shepherds pie would always be lamb, with cottage pie being the beef equivalent (traditionally using the meat leftover from the Sunday roast) However, I know, from previous threads, that for Americans the two can be interchangeable and pretty much mean any stew using minced (ground) meat, topped with mashed potato. Such is life. No doubt, Americans would query what foreigners might do to their iconic dishes.

I know the OP is looking for a specific recipe but, FWIW, this is a pretty good one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyl...

[mugen]

Shepherd's pie isn't a recipe with a great deal of complexity or variation - is there a reason why you want the People Magazine version?

[abell65]

Was best ive made in long time. Tried tons of different recipes, but this one is huge crowd pleaser.

[coll]

Did it have pumpkin in it or something? Not that ever saw it, sorry!

[abell65]

actually coll, the reason it was in halloween theme recipes was because the potatoes were to be piped into ghosts on top of base! totally forgot that! lol

[coll]

Oh OK then! I was actually thinking that adding a bit of pumpkin or other squash might be tasty, either with the meat or as the whipped topping.

[abell65]

hmm thats a thought but would only try it on a few close friends lol they love the recipe i am looking for! and wouldnt hate me forever if they didnt like it lol!