🥧 Ashley’s Shepherd’s Pie, also known as Cottage Pie when made with beef, is a classic British dish that consists of a hearty meat filling topped with mashed potatoes. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish that has a rich history and can be customized to suit various tastes.
📜 History:
Shepherd’s Pie originated in the United Kingdom, and its history can be traced back to the late 18th century. It was originally created as a way to use leftover roasted meat, particularly lamb, and make a new meal out of it. The term “Shepherd’s Pie” was first used in the 19th century when potatoes became a staple in the British diet. The name “Shepherd’s Pie” likely referred to the fact that shepherds often worked with lamb. The dish gained popularity as an affordable and satisfying meal.
🍲 Components:
The main components of Shepherd’s Pie typically include:
- Meat Filling: Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pie is made with ground or minced lamb. However, you can also use beef, chicken, or even vegetables for a vegetarian version.
- Vegetables: Common vegetables in the filling include onions, carrots, and peas.
- Gravy: A flavorful sauce is made with broth or stock, often thickened with flour or cornstarch.
- Mashed Potatoes: The topping consists of creamy mashed potatoes, which can be seasoned with butter, milk, and cheese.
👩🍳 Preparation:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing a classic Shepherd’s Pie:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds of ground lamb (or beef)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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In a large skillet, brown the ground lamb or beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
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Add the chopped onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
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Stir in the tomato paste and flour, cooking for another 2 minutes.
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Pour in the broth and Worcestershire sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it thickens.
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Add the frozen peas and season with salt and pepper.
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Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to a baking dish.
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Spread the mashed potatoes over the top, creating a nice, even layer.
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You can use a fork to create some texture on the surface of the potatoes, which will brown nicely in the oven.
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Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
🕒 Time Needed:
The preparation time for Shepherd’s Pie typically takes about 30 minutes, and the baking time in the oven is an additional 20-25 minutes. So, in total, you can expect to spend around 50-55 minutes from start to finish.
Shepherd’s Pie is a versatile dish that you can customize to your liking, making it a family favorite for generations. Enjoy your hearty and delicious meal! 🍽️🥧😊
Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for a typical serving of Shepherd’s Pie (assuming a standard recipe with ground lamb):
Nutrition Facts for One Serving (Approximately 1/6th of a 9×13-inch pan):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving.
- Protein: Around 15-20 grams.
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 30-40 grams.
- Dietary Fiber: 3-4 grams.
- Sugars: 4-5 grams.
- Fat: About 18-25 grams.
- Saturated Fat: Around 8-10 grams.
- Cholesterol: Approximately 50-70 milligrams.
- Sodium: 600-800 milligrams.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Shepherd’s Pie is a good source of essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and iron, primarily from the vegetables.
Health Information:
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Protein: The dish is a good source of protein, mainly from the meat. Protein is essential for muscle health and overall body function.
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Carbohydrates: While Shepherd’s Pie provides carbohydrates, most come from the mashed potatoes. Carbs are a source of energy, but it’s essential to be mindful of portion sizes, especially if you’re watching your carb intake.
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Fiber: The vegetables in Shepherd’s Pie contribute to its fiber content, which aids in digestion and can help you feel full.
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Fat: The dish contains a moderate amount of fat, with saturated fat primarily coming from the meat and the butter or cream used in the mashed potatoes. It’s wise to consume saturated fats in moderation for heart health.
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Sodium: The sodium content may be relatively high due to seasonings, broth, and Worcestershire sauce. High sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure, so be mindful of your overall sodium consumption.
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Vitamins and Minerals: Shepherd’s Pie is a good source of various vitamins and minerals, especially from the vegetables, such as vitamin A, C, potassium, and iron.
Remember that the actual nutrition content may vary based on the specific recipe and ingredients used. To make Shepherd’s Pie healthier, you can consider using leaner meat, reducing the amount of butter or cream in the mashed potatoes, and using low-sodium ingredients to lower the sodium content.
