How To Make Shepherd’s Pie

 

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There’s no question about it: this dish is comfort food at its very best. Like most Irish fare, its recipe was made up with affordability and convenience in mind—something great for busy people like students in online cooking school. By using a ground lamb or beef and some common ingredients like peas, carrots, onion and herbs, a savory and salty meat flavoring is created . But then to make it even easier for the cook, instead of mixing and kneading a crust, shepherd’s pie uses a mashed potato crust-something as genius as it is delicious. Sprinkle the top with a bit of Celtic sea salt and smoked paprika and bake for less than 20 minutes and you have one of the most delicious and easiest things you’ve ever created. Sub out certain veggies to meet your needs and sub in others (like mushrooms, parsnips or beets) to create an even more original dish. We’ve even heard topping it with mashed sweet potatoes will absolutely blow your mind. And no need to put a label or holiday on this dish—it’s an all year round favorite around these parts.

Get in the Irish spirit and learn to cook this classic favorite. Not only is it easy on eyes—it’s also easy on the wallet!

 

Shepherd’s Pie Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb lamb
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 large carrots, finely diced
1 ½ cup frozen peas
½ tbsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp butter
1 ½ tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
½ cup stock
Smoked paprika for garnish
Mashed Potatoes
2 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt and pepper to taste

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Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400F.

2. In the meantime, boil water for potatoes. Once boiling, add them and cook until fork tender-about 15 minutes. Drain well in colander. Add butter and cream to warm pot and add back the potatoes when butter has melted. Mash with hand mixer or hand masher. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

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3. On medium heat in a large pan, saute carrots and onion in olive oil until onions begin to sweat, about 5 minutes. Add in the meat and cook until browned. Add in peas, thyme, pepper and a sprinkle of flour and stir thoroughly to combine. Add in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and let reduce for a couple of minutes. Gradually add in chicken stock and let reduce until sauce is thick and gravy like-about 10 minutes. Season to taste.

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4. Add the meat and vegetable mixture into a 9X13 baking dish and spread evenly. Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over the top and sprinkle with some smoked paprika.

5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is browned on top.

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Special Thanks:

Talent: Lauren Nolan of Lake Shore Lady

Shot and edited by: Matt Rice

Royalty Free Music courtesy of Audio Network titled: “Daisy Chain” by Barrie Gledden

 

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